To the Editor, This week marks the 47th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination in voting and has been instrumental in ensuring citizens’ voting rights are protected from nefarious state election laws. We have been lucky thus far in New Jersey, but instead of celebrating this anniversary, in other states around the country the League of Women Voters has been fighting attempts to undermine voting law in states.  Voter photo ID laws were considered in 34 states in 2011 alone and it is estimated that 11 percent of the population overall lacks the type …

To the Editor: I normally do not respond to blogs but enough is enough. Hightstown Police Department has not released any leads or descriptions at this time and yet, people are blaming illegal aliens, aka Hispanics, and taxi drivers for the increase of crime in Hightstown. This is outrageous and as Police Director I cannot, nor will not stand by and allow these racist attacks against member of this community to go on refuted. The reason that people are seeing an increase in crime is because it is my policy to inform you. I have instituted a policy of increasing press releases thus, keeping …

Dear Editor and Residents:  We’d like to express our appreciation for all those who voted in the June 5th primary. Over the last two and a half years, we have worked together on a number of issues to help keep Cranbury special for residents and businesses. Together, we faced serious challenges as a result of reductions in state aid, energy tax receipts and the decline in real estate values.  Despite these challenges, we were able to reduce the operating budget by over half of a million dollars since 2009 (excluding grant money) and reduce the town’s debt by more than $2 million.  Recently, …

To the Editor: I am excited to have the opportunity to run for the Cranbury School Board of Education. As a member of the Board of Education, I can provide a fresh perspective, and a passion for this position. Prior to staying home to raise my three children, I served as the former Director of Global Service Operations for the StorageApps division of Hewlett Packard.  During my tenure I was responsible for the call center, level 1, 2 & 3 engineering groups. I also managed a budget totaling approximately $25 million annually, and converted the business unit from a cost center to a profit …

To the Editor, March 10 and 11 marked the 15th annual Cranbury Craft Show, sponsored by the Cranbury Education Foundation (CEF). I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the community who attended and supported this event. This year’s Craft Show was very successful, raising over $20,000 to promote and enhance the education of the students in the Cranbury community. Over 1,700 shoppers attended the event and each year our crafters are more impressive. The Cranbury Education Foundation was founded in 1997 and has organized the Craft Show as its main fundraiser for 15 years…

After a lot of thought and discussion with my family and friends I am writing to announce that I will be seeking re-election to the Township Committee and to ask for the support of my fellow residents. In 2009, I followed in my dad’s footsteps and was elected to serve on the Township Committee. I feel privileged to have represented the residents of Cranbury for just over two years and I hope most residents feel that I have honored their trust and confidence. My reason for seeking re-election is simply that I want to continue giving back to the community and ensure that my daughter will be …

Dear Editor,  The Hightstown High School Spanish Exchange would like to thank the community and the press for all its support preparing for The Prom Gown Formal Dress fundraiser. The sale produced a profit of $645. There were many happy girls and ladies who left Tavern on the Lake with their purchases in hand. Thank you to all the buyers. And to all who donated dresses, thank you, and know that you made some local females very happy.  We would like to express our appreciation to Society Cleaners for their drying cleaning discount offer, and Tavern on the Lake for their support and …

Dear Editor: The word Coot is the name of a water dwelling bird, a term for a foolish old man, and an acronym for the Closed Openness and Opaque Transparency in Borough Government supported by Larry Quattrone. COOT is obviously an oxymoron in the genre of rigid flexibility and flexible rigidity.  Also Council Person Quattrone, wants to be a  true oxymoron in terms of being an elected member of government that does not want to publicly listen to the public who elected him. Council Person Quattrone has proposed not only going to the three minute rule during public comment at Borough Council …

Dear Editor, A quote was recently referenced in a "Letter to the Editor" because I voted "no" to three of three resolutions submitted by Council Member Rob Thibault at the last Council meeting. Council Member Thibault said he was most disappointed with my vote, and he appears to believe that my voting “no” made the entire content of my quoted statement on transparency null and void. It is my opinion, as a Council Member and taxpayer, that the Hightstown Borough Council has improved transparency. Transparency is not defined by the three resolutions submitted last Monday night. Improved …

  To The Editor: At Monday evening’s meeting, the Hightstown Borough Council rejected an opportunity to increase transparency by voting down two resolutions that would have provided residents with easier and more timely access to meeting minutes.  A third resolution improving public access to meetings of public bodies was only just narrowly approved. As a resident, Council member and author of those resolutions, I am sorely disappointed not just in the Council’s vote, but in the seemingly cavalier dismissal of the public interest on the part of the Council Members Lynne Woods, Selena Bibens …

Unfortunately Maggie has been with AFEW since 2010.  For some reason she keeps getting passed over as she sits calmly while other dogs leave with their new families to go to their forever homes.  We at AFEW keep asking ourselves WHY?  Why doesn’t she get a chance?  Maggie is sweet, loves people, is eager to please, good with children, always ready with kisses and smiles. Maggie is ready to please and she appreciates everything you do for her, and she loves to cuddle.  She is spayed, up to date with her vaccinations, and is housebroken.   So why is it that she is still patiently waiting for …

I write to suggest that it is time to step away from the “any warm body” approach in Hightstown to filling seats on ballots for Council elections, and for appointing members of borough boards, commissions and committees. The pattern consists of the following: Honorable So-in-So came forward for the seat years ago. Therefore that person remains in the seat by birthright. In full disclosure, this is how I came to be on the borough Council.  In April 2008, three days before the candidate names had to be submitted for the primary, I was approached by the local committee chair with the news that …

As the holidays are fast approaching, Downtown Hightstown, Inc. is hosting our 4th Annual Downtown Holiday Window and Storefront Decorating Contest. Like last year, we’ve recruited teams of Hightstown High School and Peddie School art students to paint aselection of windows of downtown businesses with holiday themes. This approach engages students and theirfamilies in our downtown business district, generates positive publicity for the town, and promotes a festiveholiday spirit while promoting art and community participation. It also fosters the small-town feeling we striveto recreate; some …

One behalf of myself and my running mates, I would like to thank the voters who came out in support of our candidacy. I would also like to thank our volunteers whose experience and advice had made our campaign much more manageable. It was a pleasure to meet so many of our local residents and share their thoughts and opinions about our town. We intend to stay involved in the building of the future for East Windsor. We will stay vigilant and active in order to help provide another viewpoint in local governance. If you would like to get involved in helping us, or just receive information, please…

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by everyone. For me I am blessed with a wonderful family and a job that makes people joyful this season. Working at Rise-a Community Service Partnership this Thanksgiving was inspirational because so many reached out to help struggling families. Although the list is long and I am sure I am missing a few important people, I would like to recognize some important contributors to the Rise Food Pantry this holiday. Without the coordination of the Rise team, Mercer Street Friends, our volunteers and many individuals, companies civic and religious groups we …

I write this to address some points of confusion about the project involving the holiday decorations proposed for the area of the Civil War monument at the intersection of Stockton Street and Rogers Avenue in Hightstown.  Some background information here may help. Two residents made a presentation at the Borough Council meeting on October 17, 2011, for lighting and ornamentation to be placed in the vicinity of the monument, with the lighting ceremony to take place right after the Borough’s annual Santa Parade on the day after Thanksgiving (8:30 p.m.).  The project would be funded in total by …

  I would like to say thank you to everyone who went to the polls to exercise their right to vote on November 8th. Thank you to everyone who opened their doors to me, read my literature, visited my website and took the time out of their busy day to contact me with questions about issues that affect us here in Cranbury.   I have learned so much and I am proud of what I was able to accomplish these past six months.  A special thank you to my supporters who contributed to my campaign in so many ways from getting the word out, attending an event, walking door to door with me or donating to my …

Dear Editor, My deep thanks to the people of East Windsor for their very strong expression of support (almost 70% vote) and confidence in me, as well as in our entire team and in our record of service. We appreciate the trust placed in us by the East Windsor voters. We will continue to work hard to provide professional responsive government, to maintain fiscally conservative policies and to get things done for the residents of our community. We are all excited for the opportunity to continue to serve the community and build on many of our policy directions including preservation of open space…

I wish to thank the 448 people who got up and went to the polls to vote for me on Tuesday. I also would like to thank all of our supporters for all of your help this year. It truly was the year of the democrat. I would like to congratulate the Democratic committee for job they did this year getting the vote out. Good luck to all.  - John ArcherHightstown Borough Council Candidate 

Thank you to our residents for the honor of serving as your Mayor. Hopefully your believe that my background educationally, professionally and through public service has assisted me in working effectively with residents and other officials to help provide professional and responsive government and to get things accomplished in a positive professional environment for the benefit of our residents. I have lived in East Windsor for many years and care deeply about making the community a great place to live and do business. I also have a particularly great enjoyment of working with and involving …