Eleven letters
Train whistles are required
To the editor:
A letter from Nabil Hamdan published in your March 29 edition requires a response.
The question is asked why CSX Railroad crews blow the whistle so long as they approach Route 518 in Hopewell? The short answer is that they are required to do so by Federal regulations.
The railroad places a post alongside the track about 1,650 feet from the crossing as required by both rule and law. The engineer, not the conductor, is required to sound the whistle from that point until the crossing is reached. The signal, three short, one long and one short blast of the whistle or horn, must be repeated or prolonged until the crossing is reached. An engineer who does not follow this rule places the traveling public and his crew in danger and will be disciplined for not following the rule.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has found when the crossing signal is not sounded, accidents increased about 37 percent. Whomever Mr. Hamdan talked to on CSX (there is no such position as "Head of Conductors") should have explained the rule.
As to the point of what must be done to stop the whistling, the FRA has established some definite rules. The crossing must have gates on all four quadrants and in addition, barriers must be erected in both the middle of the road and along the sides of the road to prevent people from driving around the gates. This would be at state or local expense and is not a small item. One item that shows promise is a fixed horn at the crossing which blows as the train approaches. Studies have shown this greatly reduces the complaints.
The train crews do not want to wake up the residents of Hopewell but they do not want to kill anyone either. I spent 45 years on the railroad and know what a crossing accident does to the engineer and other members of the crew. To watch someone die in front of your eyes is a sight that is never forgotten.
B-MS can change plans
To the editor:
On June 19, 2000, we wrote to Mayor Marylou Ferrara listing concerns of Willow Creek residents and asking for a meeting. We have not had a response, so we raise some of the issues here.
First, on the water issue we am confident that B-MS will live up to its responsibilities in the unlikely case of a failed well or water shortage for its neighbors (Mr. Mulhall advised me such an event is not likely). However , we would like to know what happens if B-MS is sold or if they sell the property.
We agree Hopewell Township has a legal and moral obligation to live up to the agreement struck in 1990, as ill-conceived as the agreement may now seem. However, the proposal explained by B-MS to us and we assume now before this committee, asks for changes to the original plan covered by the agreement of 1990. The revised plans as presented to residents of Willow Creek in May 2000 call for relocation of the buildings to points along our property lines and in clear view of all Willow Creek residents; it requests higher buildings than are now permitted; and we believe it alludes to extending the 20-year window for development.
Part of the reasoning behind the taller buildings is that it will improve water recharge (and be more efficient for B-MS). We asked Mr. Mulhall about the water recharge issue and it is a non-event. He said that with proper planning water can be reclaimed even if more square footage is covered with buildings, or asphalt. Further, the square footage saved by building up instead of out is insignificant relative to the total B-MS property.
It seems we have leverage on this project and that the concerns of neighbors should be heard by the committee. When we built our home we knew Mobil (B-MS) had the right to expand its facility, but the plan called for almost all the expansion to be away from and out of sight of Willow Creek residents. Again, we respect B-MS’ right to expand, but we expect the township committee to make them stay with their original plans. We cannot change what we have all ready built, but B-MS can change its plans back to the previously agreed to location for its new buildings.
Questions about football
To the editor:
Before we vote on whether to spend $60,000 a year for football, I would like to know the probability of serious injury to the players.
I would also like to know what the risks are for the players if a small school, like Hopewell, plays against a much bigger school, as opposed to playing against a school of equal size. My own personal experience tells me that players from a small school are injured more seriously and more often when facing a bigger school. During a game, as first string players are replaced by younger, smaller, less talented players, it seems logical that the injury rates increases even more. If we are to approve a football program, I would like assurances that Hopewell would not play any school larger than Group II.
Also, perhaps some of the proposed football funds can be set aside in a medical benefit fund for the inevitable time when a student football player becomes permanently injured.
Before we add any new sports programs, I would also like assurances that the current extracurricular programs are being fully funded, and that students are no longer being required to pay any participation fees for their programs.
Football misinformation
To the editor:
A recent letter entitled, "Indirect Costs of Football" fails to support its premise. The authors’ interpretation of "Title IX" and their "quotes" from "JAMA" are flawed and based on misinformation.
I’m tired of seeing football politicized and examined the same way we do sewers and overdevelopment. It is much more simple. We have kids and their families who want to play football through their high school years if not beyond. Let them play!
Young children, with their friends, kick soccer balls, throw baseballs and pass footballs. They innately tend toward sports with balls because of spontaneity; not sports for which they have to take lessons. Naturally, these kids want to extend their youthful pleasures into their more mature years and the competition that comes with them; the possible scholarships that come with them.
Isn’t raising issues of equality of sexes in sports passé? Girls do what they like and so do boys. Boys aren’t playing field hockey on the high school teams and girls aren’t playing football although there must be a few chagrined girls who now read cheerleading is not a sport!
Finally, regarding health issues, I’m sure there are even less concussions for those who do not choose to play sports at all. Of course smoking, drinking, drugs or joy-riding in automobiles to pass the time are always options.
It is time to stop imposing our personal prejudices upon our kids. Soccer is a great team sport but not every kid wants to play it! Speaking of team unity, rent the movie, "Remember the Titans." It’s a true story about a high school football team and while there are other themes and some Hollywood imagery, the "magic" comes pretty close to reality.
C’mon Hopewell! Let ’em play football! We can afford it!
Football … Ready Set Go!
To the editor:
Proponents of football in the Valley would like to thank the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education for the informed decision they made in regards to adding football to the proposed 2001-2002 school budget.
The opportunity for (as Principal John Bach stated) 15 percent of the student population at HVCHS to be connected with an extracurricular program such as football will inevitably prove to be a tremendous asset to our growing community. Our mission statement from day one was "give kids the opportunity to get involved."
Hopewell Valley Pop Warner Football program will service 150 student athletes including one female. After an overwhelming response week, we now have inaugurated our cheerleading/dance program with 90 additional student athletes. Pop Warner is the only youth program in the country that provides college scholarship moneys to outstanding scholar-athletes.
On April 17, our community has the power to vote "yes" to all three school board questions (all equally important). This is a solid investment in our children’s future in order for them to grow both academically and athletically. Don’t let them down.
Second gate needed
To the editor:
I applaud Nabil Hamdan’s recent letter to the editor expressing concern regarding the use of air horns on trains at non-grade separated crossings.
I, too, have been told by railroad officials that the use of air horns could be eliminated if local authorities installed a second gate at such locations.
As you know, the soon to be approved NYC garbage trains will be bringing even more train traffic through our neighborhoods at all hours of the night.
I would encourage all bleary-eyed residents to call their elected officials and request that funding be included in the 2001 budgets to install these gates ASAP, so we can all get a good night’s sleep! Remember: open window season is about to begin!
Schools also about ‘us’
To the editor:
Should senior citizens support raising our taxes for extracurricular activities in our schools? Are we concerned about our students’ well-being? It is a perfect time to take a piercing view of how to improve all aspects of our children’s education. Now is the time for Depression Babies abd Baby Boomers to realize our schools are not just about "them" but just as importantly about "us."
Today children are pushed into intellectual, artistic and athletic competitions. We have force fed them back-to-basics, zero tolerance and the winning at any cost ideology. Our children either fit the mold or fall between the cracks.
Now we are asked to increase our taxes to provide for more athletic fields and related activities. Some of these situations will give a child or many children positive reinforcement from a teacher or coach who is fair, supportive and inclusive. This could be a child’s first glimpse of a healthy self-image.
As we try to face today’s wave of children’s suicide and violence, we read studies showing that children who are included and active in school functions are less prone to violence and alienation. Children spend much of their time in school, and any positive situation we can create for them is a priceless tool to obviate negative consequences.
We believe that voting in favor of the school budget and especially for the sports referendum is a strong step toward keeping our Hopewell Valley a caring, concerned and nurturing community.
For 40 years this township has been a wonderful place to raise our children and now our grandchildren. May we all work together to keep our community safe.
Student achievement always our focus
To the editor:
As assistant superintendent of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, I want to stress that academic achievement is always our first priority. To that effect, I would like to clarify some statements regarding our school district’s achievement test results, academic programs, and co-curricular activities discussed in last week’s letter to the editor.
The letter singled out the district’s passing rate of all three sections of the High School Proficiency Test (HSPT). Yes, 90 percent of our students passed all three sections on last year’s HSPT; however, a more revealing indicator of success is the percentage of students that passed each of the subtests. In fact, if you look at the test scores by subject, 97 percent of our students passed reading, 97 percent passed math, and 93 percent passed writing. The apparent disparity between the two indicators (the percentage passing all three subtests and the percentage passing each subtest) stems from the fact that different students passed different subtests.
Here are some other indicators of student performance. On the Grade Eight Proficiency Exam (GEPA), we had more students proficient on the mathematics subtest than any other school district in Mercer County. Overall, the advanced proficient/proficient percentages were 94 percent for mathematics, 97 percent in science and 96 percent in language arts. Our SAT scores continue to rise. The total mean score for 1999-2000 was 1147. This score is 21 points higher than the year prior and a 40 point increase over the last two years. The mean math score alone increased 20 points from the previous year. In addition, 91 percent of our 2000 graduating class took the SAT.
The number of high school students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses is also on the rise. Last year, we had 126 students taking a total of 226 examinations. Currently, we have 64 seniors enrolled in higher-level math courses such as AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC. Our students do exceptionally well on these competitive exams. For example, last year ten students scored a five (an A on a college level course) on the AP Calculus BC exam , an extraordinary accomplishment Regarding our German Language program, the letter states that one teacher teaches three courses during the same period. This is true. In order to be able to offer these high-level courses, it is not unusual to group different levels together in a single class when a small number of students sign up for a particular course. It is our way of scheduling to meet the needs of all students.
The computer science teacher mentioned in the letter is an experienced, certificated, math teacher who filled in for a teacher who went on leave. True, it is his first time teaching AP Computer Science. However, since no applicants with computer experience applied for the temporary teaching position, this teacher (who has studied and student taught computer science) stepped up to the plate to teach the course. We are grateful to him.
As to co-curricular opportunities, this district works hard to have activities that develop the talents and interests of all students. In the area of science alone, the high school has a science league, a robotics club, the chemistry Olympiad, and two environthon teams. Approximately 200 students participate in these science activities.
The mission of our school district is to provide a comprehensive, caring, educational experience that nurtures the unique talents of each individual. Our focus, whether it be in the classroom, on the playing field, or in a co-curricular activity, is always on student achievement.
Leave the toots alone
To the editor:
I cannot sit by and let the remarks made on your editorial page against our regular, always-on-time choo choo. I will not go into the details of the fact that my livelihood rests on the sound of the choo choo’s toot. When the toot toots, my worms rise to the top and are easy to harvest. I don’t have to dig them up.
I, too, am new in town; however, when I arrived here 45 years ago, I took it as my duty (at least!) to study the history of our local train.
It is a fascinating story. Unfortunately, I am sorry to say, the toots and their numbers and lengths cannot be changed and I will tell you why.
There are a few locals who know and understand this daily phenomena. There are some who, in their own way, have even come to honor our train, i.e. those kindred spirits that have spent fortunes building their very large homes along the railroad tracks, only to enjoy the chugging and tooting of our always-on-time train. Some of these folks up the road a bit, have even built decks onto their homes, out back, over the swamp, just to watch the daily action.
I have also heard that a number of the toddlers have gone off to kindergarten all knowing how to count to at least 176; that being the limited number of cars behind the engine permitted on each run.
Few of the younger generation know or even care about this history; however, here it is.
Our beautiful old engine and caboose were originally manufactured in Italy. Precisely in Rome. It was before Mussolini (Ill Duce) was hanged upside down, as well as before the end of World War II.
At the end of World War II, our little engine caught the eye of General George Marshall. Unbeknownst to most, the general bought and then transported the engine and caboose (via Ill de France) to the USA Then, in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, it all became part of what is known as the Marshall Plan. Of course we all know about that.
When the general returned, he made his home in New York City, but he did find a place for his imported choo choo. You see, the general weekended in Bucks County. Thus, our train soon became part of the Wall Street Speedo. It stopped daily. It picked up all the big boys and with Italian swiftness, dropped them all off on Wall Street. Then it was opposite on the return, with one exception. The Speedo came home at one third of its going-up speed mainly because there were always canapés and cocktails served to the Wall Street warriors on the way home. Good English Gibsons must be sipped, not just tossed down.
But here is the catch. The lengths and numbers of the toots cannot be changed since all were built-in in Rome in the early ’40s. If this sounds unreasonable, please bear in mind that the good general upon his return, had to find a railroad that had the proper crossings to match up with the Italian toots which were already timed for the Roman stops in the Italian suburbs.
Not easy, but obviously doable.
Our train is the last of Ill Duce’s trains that are running in the world, and as he insisted and made possible, it always runs on time. I know all these facts to be true, as Gen. Marshall was almost my father-in-law. So instead of bothering with such an important problem as this, that we cannot change, why not put our energies into something more simple and less costly.
How about getting organized fist-a-cuffs (boxing) into the local schools. The children could take out their hostilities on each other in a disciplined manner following the rules of the Marquis of Queensberry.
They might leave the guns and knives where they belong. Or at least be too exhausted to bother with such weapons. They might even enjoy going to school, looking forward to the day’s contretemps in physical education. If we all got lucky, they might come home and be civil to their parents and take out the garbage. However, I don’t have a clue as to what to do with the girls.
Although I know that I would win by a landslide, please don’t vote for me for anything as I could not serve. I am far too busy translating the imported Italian clocks into ticking English.
Yours truly yours for leaving the toots alone.
Excellent work
To the editor:
There are two notable examples of excellent work done on behalf of the citizens of Hopewell Township over the past few months:
The Public Works Department performed admirably in making the township’s roads safe following the numerous snow storms this winter. The members of the department should be thanked for their tireless around-the-clock work.
The township committee steadfastly defended the citizens’ interests as it diligently probed the recent Bristol-Myers Squibb application. Rather than giving a rubber stamp to the application, they asked relevant and probing questions relating to safety issues involving hazardous activities at the site such as recumbent DNA research. They too should be thanked for representing our interests.
Airport difficulties
To the editor:
Here we go again!
Not surprisingly, another airline is being reported as having financial difficulties at the Trenton Mercer Airport. In adding to an already long list, Shuttle America, which has been praised with great fanfare by the by the county administration, owes Mercer County $144,796 in back rent. Tom Rubino, the county spokesman, has stated that the overdue rent dates back to "a couple of months," but was not sure when the payments began to accrue.
Well, maybe we can help the county financial experts with the math. The county was expected to net $282,000 annually, or about $24,000 per month in lease payments. The $144,796 in arrears equates to about 6 months of non-payments. Assuming that at least partial monthly payments were made up until February, we can estimate that the delinquent rent dates back as much as six to 12 months. This would question the statement made by a Shuttle America spokesman that being in the slow winter travel season was the cause of the problem.
Besides the aggravation of having Shuttle America planes skimming over many of our rooftops daily, we now have to add insult to injury. Still the county administration continues to insist on expanding the airport by proposing to build a new 18 million dollar, 44,000 square foot, two-gate terminal. We currently don’t know the fate of the old terminal; however, the administration has expressed interest in continued operation and maintenance of the facility. With renovation costs running into the millions of dollars and optimistic breakdown projections many years into the future, we may have to start checking how many zeros we have on our calculators before adding up the debt.
"Cash burn rate" business models are alive and well in our county administration. Hold on to your wallets because here we go again!