No need
to fix council
To the editor:
My opinion is the old addage: If its not broke, why fix it? Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray have accomplished much for our township over the last year.
I am very pleased by their efforts regarding Mapletown Preserve, with seven magnificent homes sitting on 250 acres, all done while preserving the history of Princeton Nurseries.
In addition, South Brunswick has hired three new police officers and opened the new 79-acre Rowland Park. The current governing body has also added another 200 acres of open space and a brand new skateboard park was recently approved.
This was all done over the course of one year. A fine job indeed, as mentioned, if it’s not broke, why fix it.
Al Nardi
Monmouth Junction
Menendez
deserves vote
To the editor:
As Nov. 7 approaches, the New Jersey Senate race may be the one that determines which party holds the majority in the U.S. Senate — and, with it, control over the Senate agenda and the country’s direction.
The very health of our democracy depends on voters making a choice based on facts, not campaign promises and unproven smears. The Web sites of both candidates in this race include their actual voting records; and each man has been in public office long enough for this to give a picture from which voters can then address the question: What kind of man do I want in Senate?
Do I want a man who stood up to President Bush and voted against rushing into the Iraq war? A man whose record on health, education and labor issues is full of votes cast to help the "little guy"? A man who has earned a perfect "environmental score" from the Sierra Club? That man is Bob Menendez.
Or, do I want a man who, had he been a member of the U.S. House at the time, would have bowed to President Bush and supported sending troops into Iraq? A man who favors making all those Bush tax cuts for the rich permanent? A man who would almost certainly rubber-stamp approval for yet another conservative Bush nominee to the Supreme Court, in the event of another vacancy? That man is not Bob Menendez.
Much is at stake. This race in New Jersey looks to be the crucial battlefield on which the chance for a new direction for America will be decided — which makes it doubly important that the choice be made on facts, not on fiction.
Gwen Southgate
Monmouth Junction
Parkinson’s disease:
my reality
To the editor:
I sit here at my computer trying to think of a opening line that will grab attention, but the more I think the more things get jumbled up in my mind. My neck is stiff; my legs are moving and my left hand is shaking. Doesn’t sound to comfortable, does it?
Well this is my reality and the reality of 1 million Americans living with Parkinson’s disease today. More than 15 percent being diagnosed before age 55. I myself am 39, I was diagnosed at 36. I am married with two children and have a very busy schedule which is not always easy to follow.
The recent comments made by Rush Limbaugh are insensitive and outright ignorant. He should educate himself on an issue before he decides to give his opinion.
Parkinson’s disease does not care if you have somewhere to be, something to do, or someone to see, it always with you, either through a tremor, rigidity, dyskinesia, soft speech, masked face, and the list goes on, not to mention the side effects of all the different medications.
Education is key people need to understand the full effects that chronic illnesses have on patients and their families. It seems as though, violence, celebrity dish and sports get so much attention and real life situations get pushed aside. I would like to see more health awareness education programs throughout the states so that people can understand what living with a chronic illness is like.
Annie Konopka
South Brunswick
Ms. Konopka is a 39-year-old young-onset Parkinson’s Patient.
Elect candidates
with vision
To the editor:
Primary Goal: Elect candidates that have a vision for South Brunswick’s future.
Candidates running for public office must have experience and vision for a township that will have significant challenges in terms of acquiring a workable and realistic transportation plan, reducing property taxes, achieving responsible growth and development for the whole township, solving senior citizen and young adult issues and preserving open space.
Your endorsement last week was very hard on the candidates for their lack of experience or requiring necessary prodding in making decisions on the budget or shared services with neighboring towns. I would strongly prefer that our elected or appointed officials make those critical decisions based on all the facts and figures available to them. I do give them credit for running for office and sacrificing the time it takes away from their families. I commend all of them for running for public office. It is a noble cause to give of one’s time to serve others.
Most importantly, I do agree on your endorsement of Frank Gambatese and Chris Killmurray for mayor and councilman.
Arthur Robinson
Kendall Park
Endorsing
incumbents
To the editor:
I have had the distinct privilege over the last two years to closely observe Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray carrying out their respective roles. Even though I might not always agree with my associates, I have been impressed with their knowledge, dedication, and the vision they have for South Brunswick. As anyone could witness by our council meetings, they will base their positions on research and experience, however, will still keep an open mind to alternate or dissenting opinions.
Mayor Gambatese is a tireless worker who redefines the meaning of "part time" Mayor. While averaging between three to four nightly meetings per week, maintaining hours at the municipal building, and continuously making himself available for every imaginable event, he constantly projects a positive attitude. Mayor Gambatese will also not hesitate whatsoever in meeting state officials and our federal representatives if the occasion demands it. Mayor Gambatese’s own personal interests and needs continually take a secondary role to those of South Brunswick.
Chris Killmurray is the epitome of the present-day parent. Besides being a dedicated husband, father, councilman and attorney, he still finds time in personally assisting our library, the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, and still participates in just about every recreational program that South Brunswick offers — four young children will do that. It is this regimen that has trained his mind to quickly assess any situation, assimilate the information, and produce a well thought out and substantive response.
Mayor Gambatese and Councilman Killmurray are running on their actions and achievements. As witnessed by their ubiquitous presence and participation at countless events, their makeup demands civic participation and involvement. This trait is a byproduct of both the fabric and essence of these individuals. They both excel at it.
That is why they both have a real sense as to what the prevalent issues are in South Brunswick and what can be done to either solve them immediately or initiate polices that will address them in the future. I hope the majority of residents also recognize these strong and positive traits and will join me in voting for Mayor Gambatese and Councilman Killmurray on Nov. 7.
Joe Camarota
Kendall Park
Mr. Camarota, a Democrat, is a member of the Township Council.
Gambatese, Killmurray
for South Brunswick
To the editor:
With the election just a few weeks away, Republican Council Candidates Linda Woods Cleary and Nanette Craig present little information on how South Brunswick would benefit from their being elected. In their call for change, the Republican candidates have used silly food analogies, in their call to increase certain budgeted issues, while controlling expenses while slashing municipal building maintenance and the Road Departments, while claiming it is better for the township to "stand alone," rather than to look for assistance from "higher government levels," to ease the tax burden and provide increased services to its residents. With no clear agenda toward the future, they seem only to remain critical of past spending over the past three or four years.
With the election just a few weeks away, South Brunswick needs to continue the course. Support candidates Gambatese and Killmurray, who have along with other members of the council, Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett, council members Charley Carley and Joseph Camorata, have secured thousands of dollars in funding for open space parks and recreation projects, improved roads in often-neglected older sections of the township, such as the Kendall Park development. Increased senior services to our growing older residents who require and deserve more assistance. Coordinated services with higher government levels to make sure South Brunswick receives, in the least, its fair share of funding and representation, bringing back tax dollars in the form of local government services, to our residents. To continue to increase in shared services to reduce expenses, saving residents’ money, and to effectively manage and control our development, while reducing the burden of taxation away from the residents through creative passive taxes such as hotel tax, that keeps tax revenue directly in South Brunswick generating it from outside sources.
Continue the course and avoid a change for the worse and vote Gambatese for mayor and Killmurray for council, the right choices for South Brunswick.
Frank J. Brown
Kendall Park
Supporting one’s
own team
To the editor:
This letter is a bit like Jose Reyes asking folks to support the Mets or Derek Jeter the Yankees, for that matter. It would be expected. Nevertheless, there’d be merit in those endorsements.
I’m asking folks to support Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray for re-election. Plain and simple — they’ve earned it. They’ve earned it by demonstrating mature and responsible leadership.
Now, some may complain that the governing body doesn’t operate in fits and starts like in the past. But that’s part of the point — the work of municipal government isn’t suited for theatrics. It’s hard work that should be taken in measured steps. It’s assuring that there are enough police patrolling our neighborhoods. It’s making sure that streets are plowed and leaves are collected and parks maintained.
As much, in South Brunswick, municipal government is about recognizing the dynamism of our community and working to provide the infrastructure resources to foster a continually improving quality of life. And we’ve seen that these past years with the expansion of our library, the dedication of new parks and playing fields, and the preservation of our natural heritage through open space acquisition.
On Nov. 7, please re-elect Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray. They’ve earned our support.
Charles Carley
Kendall Park
Mr. Carley, a Democrat, is a member of the Township Council.
Incumbents improved
quality of life
To the editor:
During the four years of his tenure, Mayor Frank Gambatese and the Township Council have compiled a record of achievement that have enhanced the quality of our lives in South Brunswick. They have accomplished these projects by obtaining financing through county, state, federal and private grants as well as our township’s Open Space Trust Fund.
Our mayor has personally negotiated such financing with officials of various governmental boards and agencies as well as with executives within the private sector.
Through his tireless work we, the residents of South Brunswick, now have a municipal art gallery, the Mapleton Preserve, Rowland Park (for sports), Beechwood Park for concerts, walking and bicycling, a magnificent 9/11 memorial sculpture and fountain, funding to begin the process of widening Route 1 and the recently announced township shuttle bus service.
I am proud to live in a Township where our municipal taxes support a variety of essential services that keep us safe and healthy and maintain our infrastructure in good working order. We expect these things. But the accomplishments cited above would not have been possible without Frank Gambatese’s dedication to enriching our community.
I am proud to support Frank Gambatese for mayor and Chris Killmurray for councilman on Nov. 7.
Sandra Behrend
Kendall Park
Thanks for
book sale help
To the editor:
When the doors opened at 10 a.m. sharp, all people entering the Library turned either left or right and went directly to the Boo-k Sale rooms. We thank the donors, purchasers, and our wonderful staff of volunteer assistants for their roles. Our volunteers worked miracles in making books and baked good disappear. On behalf of the Friends, it is my honor to thank the following individuals for their contributions to our success:
Luda Bakunovich, Marialice Barone, Radhika Bhisey, Brian Bolanowski, Donna Burzynski, Chris Carbone, Evelyn Catoe, Yongjie Chen, Pat Dahl, Saleena Davidson, Dorayne DeMoore, Duygu Dogu, Emre Dogu, Gouri Dongaonkar, Mary Donne, Charles Dou, Garey Edelman, Janet Einstein, Mary Fischbeck, Donna Flegal, Joan Fleming, Bud Freitag, Gilda Gildenberg, Larry Gildenberg, Audrey Gould, Sweta Haldar, Suzanne Hayducka, Najeeb Hussain, Bart Jackson, Lorraine Jackson, Tahereh Khazaewia, Claire Krucher, Norbert Kuliher, Julia Lea, Ceil Leedom, Dan Maltby, Deepika Mandrekar, Jill Mastromonica, Joseph Mastromonica, Joe Melton, Saba Mendha, Arabi Moorthy, Edith Neimark, Neha Patel, Akila Ramaraj, Vani Ramaraj, Shagnik Ray, Tejas Rge, Lease Ruddick, Ruth Ruddick, Susan Santawasso, Surya Saripalli, Shivan Saxena, Viji Savithri, Aggie Schwartz, Lewis Schwartz, Allen Solomon, Bob Weidis, Althea Wurmbrand, Morton Wurmbrand, Jesse Zayas, Kevin Zish, and, of course, our wonderful staff.
A very special thank-you to both Boy Scout Troop 888 and Chris Killmurray and our YAC Volunteers.
Our next book sale will be held in February.
Memberpship: Please remember to renew your membership for 2007. Memberships run on a calendar year. The winner of our Membership Boo Basket was Ganesh Chandra. Those individuals renewing their membership during the Boo-k Sale were able to avail themselves in the opportunity to be a part of this drawing.
The Giving Tree: Please help our tree by adding your leaf, acorn, branch, steppingstone, etc. Envelopes are available at the library.
Please join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Don Taylor Quiet Study Room.
Susan Edelman
South Brunswick
Ms. Edelman is president of the Friends of South Brunswick Public Library.
Strange things
are happening
To the editor:
Red Buttons’ theme song used to have the line "Strange Things Are Happening." Sprint’s application to erect a 112-foot-high cell tower along Route 27 in Kendall Park certainly fits that line perfectly.
Sprint has very detailed on-line maps of their cell phone coverage. The coverage is labeled "Best," "Good" and "Fair" coverage. The Sprint tower application is in an area depicted as "Fair" coverage. In short, coverage exists along Route 27 where a 112-foot-high tower is proposed. Why?
The Sprint cell phone coverage maps also have blank areas of "No Coverage." According to the Sprint maps, the following locations have no Sprint coverage: Bunker Hill in Griggstown, Heathcote, Prominade Boulevard, Little Rocky Hill, Miller and Broadway roads in South Brunswick, River Road, Cherry Valley Road, Route 206 North in Princeton, an eastern area of Hillsborough, Clearbrook in Monore and New Brunswick Avenue-Old Stage Road in Spotswood to name just a few nearby "No Sprint Coverage" locations.
Why is Sprint intent upon spending a large amount of money erecting a 112-foot-high cell phone antenna where it already has coverage, rather than providing coverage in populated areas where coverage does not exist? Not that any of these areas would care to have another Sprint cell phone tower. Indeed, "Strange Things are Happening."
Sprint may be relying on court rulings that cell towers are a "public benefit." If Sprint is seeking a "public benefit," I have named just nine of many nearby locations where that might be true. The strange location along Route 27 in Kendall Park is certainly not one of them.
Paul C. Murrray
Kingston
FOP offers
endorsements
To the editor:
The South Brunswick Superior Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 51, supports the re–election of Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray.
The membership voted to endorse based on their record of achievements. Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray supported the restructuring of the South Brunswick Police Department. This restructuring was critical to address current and future growth in our township. The fastest growing community in Middlesex County according to the last census data.
Both Mayor Gambatese and Councilman Killmurray were instrumental in supporting Chief Raymond Hayducka’s initiative to return back to basics, to increase minimum staffing requirements in the patrol division. This increase is the first in over 20 years. The result is more officers assigned to patrol duties increasing the quantity and quality of contact with the citizens of our community. They supported an ordinance to enable the police department to hire officers already certified by the police training commission. This hiring process, the first one ever, offered significant savings to our township in academy costs, expedited the department’s ability to place them on the road, and significantly diversified the department.
Clearly the safety of all our citizens and a police force representative of the community they serve is a priority to Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray.
Capt. Harry J. Delgado
President FOP Lodge 51
South Brunswick
Invitation
for a debate
To the editor:
Anyone who knows me knows that I react to violations of truth and justice. I am, therefore, challenging Jean Dvorak to come out from behind her curtain of innuendo and reveal what "stuff" was going on and from whom "we got confirmation" and what "dirty political money was being spent in the campaign." I take these quotes from an Oct. 26 article.
"Stuff"? Is that the best description one can use when disparaging persons’ reputations?
As to "dirty political money," is Ms. Dvorak referring to the $1,000. and $500 in 2003 and 2004 that was donated by New Directions and which went to support charities and charitable organizations in our town?
Or is she referring to the $22,000 that was paid by Dallenbach Sand Company in ’98 and ’99 by Sen. Lynch for dealing with a state agency? If so, does she not remember that South Brunswick denied the permit renewal thinking that it had exhausted its mining operation? (When sued, the decision was later overturned.) There was hardly any "dirty" complicity there.
There is no doubt that former Sen. Lynch is interested in Middlesex County government. He supported candidates, especially young candidates in whom he saw promise, by encouraging them. He was, in fact, a mentor of Debra Johnson and contributed to her political fund while she was mayor. But he never asked for or directed anyone in South Brunswick to carry out something of his personal business.
I find Ms. Dvorak’s comments extremely dismaying because they are not founded in truth. Her effort reminds me of a letter I received back in 1988 when I was a Democratic State Committeewoman. I’ll never know if it was a fluke or a sick joke but it was from Lee Atwater, then Chairman of the National Republican Party.
The letter was addressed to all local-to-national Republican candidates instructing them to find something about their opponent that they could use in some way as character assassination and then to keep hammering on it.
If character assassination by distortion is a candidates’ best strategy, there can’t be much to offer about themselves?
So, let’s get to the truth of "stuff."
Ellen Gambatese
Kendall Park
