Letters

After 30 years in East Brunswick, my wife and I will be moving into an active adult community in Ocean County later this month. As empty-nesters, our house has just gotten too big and our real estate taxes have increased far in excess to the perceived value we feel we’re receiving. But we are leaving East Brunswick with wonderful memories. We raised our children here and made many friends here.

I had decided to voice my opinion on various social issues several years ago. I thank the Sentinel and Suburban for having given me the opportunity to voice my concerns via the editorial section. I also thank the many readers who read my letters. Many readers have actually contacted me via letter, phone or in person to lend their support of the positions I have taken. This has given me much encouragement because I believe many readers have strong opinions — either pro or con — on some of the issues which I have raised.

I therefore recommend that you voice your opinion on issues and inform your elected officials accordingly. You could make a difference. How often do we complain about a public issue which we don’t like, yet don’t do anything about it? But, if enough people let their feelings be known to their elected officials, then a powerful message could be sent to them and positive change may actually happen.

Bob Ahlers

East Brunswick

Resident says ‘time to derail boondoggle’

So another $1.5 million will be added the $6 million already wasted on a study of potential train routes for Monmouth and Ocean County commuters. The money in the federal transportation act is to analyze two routes from Lakehurst to Red Bank and Matawan — perhaps because a preliminary study has already found the original route through Middlesex County to be impractical.

That was the conclusion of previous studies. A diesel rail line to the northeast corridor tracks in South Brunswick would be the longest in miles and travel time of the three routes, and the most expensive by far — $860 million.

Even the cheapest route would cost $600 million to build, and require $49 million a year in taxpayer subsidies to operate, for only 7,900 passengers (NJ Transit’s optimistic estimate). That would mean each of the 3,950 round-trip riders would require more than 12,000 of our tax dollars each year.

I’m sure the latest feasibility study will again show none of these three railroad lines would be worth it. The final report will reiterate that the most viable alternative is commuter buses. The Monmouth and Ocean politicians just don’t want to get it.

Let’s hope these are the last millions of dollars wasted on such studies. The money can be better spent on dedicated bus lanes on Route 9 and the parkway.

It’s time to derail this boondoggle.

Richard Wieland

Monroe

Community, volunteers contributed to event’s success

How does one express one’s thanks to a community? The East Brunswick Chapter of Hadassah wrapped gifts at Brunswick Square Mall, East Brunswick, during the Father’s Day/graduation season. All monies collected will help find a cure for breast cancer. So many of us have been touched, knowing a relative or friend who has this awful disease. Hopefully, the donations will promote research to eradicate breast cancer.

We would like to thank the many volunteers — notably Helene Grynberg for her tireless work as chairperson of gift-wrapping events — who took time to wrap gifts. Thanks also to all the Hadassah volunteers, to the Rutgers University students and to our many nonJewish friends who worked Friday evenings and Saturdays. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated.

Our next holiday gift-wrapping event will be during the month of December. See you then.

Sheila Davidoff

Joannie Weinfeld

co-presidents

East Brunswick Hadassah

Should non-nationals get tuition break? reader asks

In recent weeks, several Greater Media newspapers have been publishing a letter to the editor supporting in-state tuition for immigrants. The letter gets an important fact wrong. It states those students that do not get the in-state tuition rate are hit by “exorbitant” fees.

The truth is that New Jersey citizens going to state colleges receive a subsidized education while out-of-state students pay the regular rate for tuition. The real issue is, therefore, whether New Jersey taxpayers want to subsidize the education of citizens of foreign countries. Ask yourself why non-nationals should receive greater privileges than our fellow countrymen in Pennsylvania or New York? Why should New Jerseyans pay for the education of citizens of other countries?

John F. Newman

Freehold Borough