Letters and Commentary

734

Taxpayers Can Now Contribute to Special Olympics Thanks to New Legislation
To the Editor:
On behalf of Special Olympics New Jersey, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the support of Gov. Chris Christie and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno with the signing of Bill S-1855. This bill designates our organization as one of the N.J. Charitable Funds residents may choose to endorse with a donation on their 2012 and 2013 New Jersey State income tax form.
A special thank you also is extended to Special Olympics parent and Senate President Stephen Sweeney D-Gloucester, Assembly­man John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, and Assembly­man Dan Benson, D-Mercer, who championed the passing of this bill.
Special Olympics New Jersey will field a “Home Team” of 265 athletes with intellectual disabilities to the 2014 USA Special Olympics Games, which will be June 14-21, 2014. Under the new law, taxpayers will be able to include a contribution on their tax returns to the “2014 Special Olympics New Jersey Home Team Fund.” This bill will provide every New Jersey citizen an opportunity to allocate funds to Special Olympic athletes, who represent communities from across the state, so that they may compete at the highest level.
With the signing of this bill, Gov. Christie, Lt. Gov. Guadagno, State Senate President Sweeney and many others who helped to pass this legislation have paid the very highest tribute to the Special Olympic athletes of New Jersey in their quest to compete at the highest level and represent the “Home Team.”
Special Olympics New Jersey is proud to host the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and invites New Jersey citizens from throughout the state to visit www.specialolympics2014.org to learn more about the Games and www.sonj.org to get involved with Special Olympics New Jersey.
We welcome everyone to join in the celebration of Genuine Jersey Pride and contribute to the “Home Team” as they train for the 2014 USA Games.
Thank you for your continued support of Special Olympics New Jersey.
Marc S. Edenzon
President, Special Olympics New Jersey
 
Learn the Signs of Heart Disease – and Don’t Ignore Them
To the Editor:
How wonderful to see a front and center article on heart attacks and heart disease (The Two River Times™, Feb. 1). The story of Gail Hague is full of useful information that should be shared with as many women as pos­sible. Gail’s story is one of a positive outcome, she is one of the lucky ones.
As women, it is easy to get a false sense that it couldn’t happen to me. The common perception is that heart attacks happen to overweight old men. Heart attacks in women are real and happen more than most people realize – and to women who are seemingly healthy and under age 50. We check all the boxes concerning heart related issues: low cholesterol, good blood sugar, regular EKG monitoring, healthy eating, exercise, optimal weight, aware of family history.  But guess what, a heart attack can still happen.
What can you do?  Know the signs of a heart attack (and for women it can be very different) and don’t ignore them. As women, we tend to press through discomfort. This is normal, it’s who we are and it’s OK. Don’t ever let a physician pat you on the head and send you along telling you that you’re overreacting. Get annual physicals to monitor your health, but also to have a relationship with a general practitioner who knows you, knows how often you come in, how you respond to medication, what your attitude toward health is, knows what pushes you to come in for a visit. So that when you come into his/her office and say you don’t feel well, he/she knows what that means to you. Trust your instincts, if a physician dismisses your concerns/discomfort, find another doctor who will listen to you and take the necessary steps to uncover things. Not over-testing, just smart evaluation. It will save your life.
Paige Metzger
Little Silver
 
Keeping Up with the Situation at Sandy Hook
To the Editor:
The Sandy Hook Foundation would like to update you on the status of Sandy Hook. As you know, the park remains closed to the public until sewage, water, electricity, phone service and safety issues are addressed and corrected. The good news is that Congress passed Sandy recovery funding so “our” park is in a priority queue within the Gateway National Recreation Area system to fix these issues – many of them, hopefully, by early summer 2013. Recognizing that you will continue to get Sandy Hook information via the Internet, please visit our website and please leave your email address (so we can send you occasional notices) at www.sandyhookfoundation.org
Another very important park update, and one we’re enthusiastic to support, is the formation of a National Park Service advisory committee (referred to as FACA or Federal Advisory Committee) to discuss possibilities for the future of historic Fort Hancock. In spring 2012 members of the public were invited to apply for one of 20 committee positions, and in August 2012 appointments were by made by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Members represent a wide array of local and national leaders in government, business, recreation and real estate as well as experts in natural, scientific and educational resources.
The FACA committee will meet four to six times a year over a two-to-three year period and serve without compensation; every meeting will be open to the public with specified time for public comment. The first meeting was held on Jan. 23 – 24. Information from the meeting can be viewed at www.forthancock21stcentury.org and at www.nps.gov/gate. Names and short biographies of panel members, minutes, agendas and notice of future meetings will be posted as information becomes available.
We want you to know that we’re very involved in the park’s progress. We’re planning the summer concert series and hear (loudly!) the importance and urgency to get the bike path and beaches operational.
Stay tuned and informed!
Betsy Barrett
President, The Board of The Sandy Hook Foundation
Friends Group of the Sandy Hook Unit
Gateway National Recreation Area
www.sandyhookfoundation.org
 
M’Town Residents’ Recycling Efforts Results in Savings for Township
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Middletown Township Committee, I would like to thank the residents of Middletown for making the Recycle2 Save program such a great success.
The introduction of single stream recycling has resulted in a huge increase in the number of recyclables collected, and a significant drop in the volume of waste material being disposed of in the county landfill.
The past year 2012 saw the collection of recycled materials rise nearly 23 percent over the previous year, while the tonnage of non-recycled material dropped by over 8 percent during the same period. This translated into a net savings/increased revenue of over $20,000 per month from July to December of last year.
If this trend continues and compliance continues to increase, it would be an important step in Middletown’s quest to replace municipal property taxes with other sources of revenue to pay for essential township services, infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements. Residents can play an important role by encouraging friends, neighbors and co-workers to participate and help continue the remarkable progress we’ve made thus far. This program provides residents with an opportunity to play an active role in helping to lower property taxes with relatively little impact on their day-to-day lives. The Township Com­mittee will continue to explore other creative ways to build upon the momentum of this innovative program to keep Middletown the great place it is to live, work and recreate.
Gerry Scharfenberger
Mayor, Middletown Township
 
 
Two River Moment
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Two River Moment The “Lollipop Clock” at 36 Broad St., Red Bank, was installed by Leon de la Reussille, a native of Switzerland, in front of the jewelry store he opened in 1902. Reussille was inspector of clocks and watches for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, according to the Red Bank Visitors Center website. Reussille Jewelers was eventually purchased in 1925 and its name was changed to Ballew Jewelers. That store closed in 2010 though the clock remains. This photo of the store decorated in bunting is not dated.