Letters
‘Progress whittles away natural defenses — trees’

A sense of loss came over me as I drove to work this morning — “progress” can be a shock. The infamous Route 18 “needed” widening. How might the fallen trees see this prospect if they had voices?

I wondered how the next generation would see this state as day by day another nature disaster took place.

There seems to be more flooding and more difficulty breathing in the air as progress whittles away our natural defenses — the trees. I wanted to be that one person who spoke up for those without a voice.

Developers can do good things, but looking at this nature disaster I was deeply saddened.

Can’t politicians and developers find a way to save more of the natural beauty of our state to prevent flooding and to “heal” the air we breathe for the sake of their children and grandchildren as well as for the rest of us? Hopefully, the candidates for governor can address the true issues of quality of life as well as property tax reform, rather than wasting the people’s time and diverting attention away from these important topics for another term.

Martha Bennett

East Brunswick

Resident impressed with Republicans at county fair

Each year, my family and I enjoy several nights of fun at the Middlesex County Fair, namely its great food and celebratory atmosphere. Other amenities include many service-oriented business people providing an abundance of useful information. By being on hand to answer questions shows they obviously want our business. Not much unlike shopping for products when it comes to politics, the undeclared voter like myself seeks to be informed. Therefore, we need to ask and receive straight answers from both parties to questions regarding things like taxes and services.

It was a breath of fresh air at last week’s fair to meet Republican candidates for county freeholder, Andrew Tidd, Jay Boxwell, and county clerk candidate Joseph Sinagra. These gentlemen answered all of our questions and also explained to us why no-bid contracts and the pay-to-play scheming which currently goes on in Middlesex County government hurts every taxpayer. Their literature was also quite clear and concise. These guys worked for our vote.

On the other hand, the Democrats’ county freeholder booth was for the most unattended. No candidates were there to answer questions, although one night I did run into two young volunteers; however, they were not equipped to answer questions. I suppose the Democratic candidates feel they don’t have to work so hard. Their overconfidence is really quite disturbing. As for the Republican county candidates, they certainly deserve this voter’s business Nov. 8.

Jo Ann Francis

Old Bridge

Advocate offers tips for conserving energy, saving money

As temperatures continue to rise throughout the summer, there are many steps you can take to keep cool by conserving energy. As the New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate, representing and protecting the interests of utility consumers, I believe conservation is the best way to lower your utility bills, add more comfort to your home and improve the environment.

Some energy-saving tips for the summer include the following:

• Open windows during moderate weather instead of using your air conditioner, to help save money.

• Turn off lights, TVs and computers when not in use to help lower the temperature. When left on, they make air conditioners work harder.

• Close cooling vents or turn off window air conditioners in unused rooms and shut the door to keep cool and save money.

• Turn off central air conditioning 30 minutes before you plan to leave your home, and it will remain cool until you go.

• When shopping for a new air conditioner, make sure it is the right size for the area you are cooling. The wrong size air conditioner will use more electricity and increase your energy bills. Be sure to choose an energy-efficient unit with the Energy Star label.

• Set the cooling thermostat as high as comfort permits to save more energy. The higher the setting, the more you save.

I follow these strategies and I hope you will join me in practicing them too.

My office publishes a handy guide, the Consumer Conservation Handbook, which provides money-saving tips for energy conservation in the home during the summer and other seasons. The Consumer Conservation Handbook is available to all consumers at no cost by calling (973) 648-2690 or visiting www.rpa.state.nj.us.

Taking small steps toward conservation will go a long way in making a difference, not only in your own home but in our environment as well.

Seema M. Singh

South Brunswick

director, New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate

Gulton site cannot be zoned residential prior to cleanup

The front-page story in the Aug. 10 Sentinel, “New ordinance puts brakes on housing plans,” discussed the Metuchen Borough Council’s adoption of an ordinance that will halt development of high-density housing on the Gulton property along Durham Avenue. The new ordinance is widely supported by local residents, and it is easy to see why. It is impractical to build high-density housing in an area where the biggest concerns are traffic and overcrowding of the school system.

Still, an integral point is missing from the argument against building on the Gulton property. The groundwater, soil and wetlands on the site are contaminated with a number of chlorinated, volatile, organic compounds. In addition to discharging contamination into the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area, the site has the potential to pose serious human health problems. Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are just two of the harmful substances found on the site.

With the degree of contamination on the Gulton site, one would think that Metuchen Realty Acquisitions Associations would ensure the site’s remediation before rushing to sell the property to developer Baker Residential. But according to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), this is not the case. In fact, the site’s cleanup just doesn’t seem to be a priority in its redevelopment.

Until the site is cleaned up to meet standards protective of human health, using it for any type of housing should not even be part of the discussion. When the consequences of increased traffic and a burdened school system are combined with the presence of dangerous contamination on the Gulton site, zoning this district as residential is ludicrous.

Robert Spiegel

executive director

Edison Wetlands Association

Pray for the ‘clueless’ as you honor Sept. 11 victims

So the secretary of defense has announced a Million Moron March in Washington, to “commemorate” the events of 9/11. A parade from the Pentagon to the National Mall, to be followed by ta-da! — a country music concert.

If you want to mourn the dead and honor the heroes, nearly every faith community in New Jersey will be holding memorial services on Sunday, Sept. 11. Go to your church or temple or mosque or meeting. Pray for the dead, pray for the survivors, pray for the children growing up in this broken world, and pray for the clueless at their country music concert.

Stephen J. Spiro

Metuchen

Mayor commended for caring about animals

I recently read a letter to the editor in the Aug. 10 Examiner titled “Woodbridge needs animal shelter, not a dog park” and felt sad — that is, until I called the township and was told that the letter did not give all the facts regarding the dog park and the shelter. Thus, I feel the residents should know all the facts.

First, the money for building the dog park was given by the county for recreational use only. Therefore, the town could not spend that money on a new shelter, but was wise enough to use it to increase the variety of recreational places for residents and their pets. Second, I was told that the town is currently in the process of planning a new shelter for our lost and abandoned pets, and that the planning began about a year ago. Even though I don’t have building experience, I know that designing and building a shelter is more complex and time-consuming than building a fence for a dog park. Third, the township’s animal control officers work very hard to adopt out abandoned and surrendered dogs and cats. On weekends, I have personally seen dogs, in addition to cats, at Petsmart for potential adoption. I have heard they also use other locations for adoptions.

I agree with the letter on one point: Woodbridge needs a shelter for the humane treatment of the town’s abandoned and surrendered animals. However, I believe the mayor deserves to be treated humanely as well. People should know all the facts regarding the dog park and the shelter.

Mayor Pelzman is the first mayor to care enough about the animals of Woodbridge to make it a goal to create a dog park and a new shelter for the township. I applaud him for taking action when no other mayor gave the animals of Woodbridge a second thought.

Andrea Millroy

Avenel section of Woodbridge