The community has lost a true friend, a man for whom I had true respect.

I first met Capt. John Jensen when he was assigned in 1991 to the newly formed East Brunswick Human Relations Council (EBHRC). Looking back, the Human Relations Council was then trying to determine how to be involved in the community and with the residents. We weren’t sure what we could do or what our potential would be. We needed the expertise of a longtime resident and a professional. Our job also needed to be intertwined with the police department.

We were a volunteer group of 13, representing various cultural groups in the community, that would ultimately offer support to all East Brunswick residents. We were to support those victims of a bias crime or incident, and, through dialogue with community residents, find the best way to help heal the community. We were defining our roles, discovering how to be proactive and yet reactive.

Well, Capt. John Jensen was our guide. He had his finger on the community and helped us build rapport and respect in and with the police department and other township professionals. He was the man who came to every monthly Human Relations Council meeting, and, when he couldn’t be there, sent a substitute.

He was committed to the cause. He helped us with many community programs, one of which was the creation of a panel for a bias forum at East Brunswick High School. He was dedicated to doing what he could to make East Brunswick an even more harmonious town. He knew how to get the job done and took his role seriously. However, when there was an opportunity to joke, his jokes were sweet and his smile was the best. Above all, his dedication to us and our mission would be felt when he would over and over again say, “There is no small bias crime. All bias crimes are horrible and will not be tolerated in this town.” He made sure his officers understood that.

To this day, I believe that the East Brunswick Public Safety Department shines because of the many values Capt. Jensen left behind. He was a man of principle and justice, and I’m sure that EBHRC members who worked with him in those early days (Dr. Dennis Lai, Rabbi Eric Milgrim, Rose Morgart, Alice Hugh Brown) would second that unanimously.

May Capt. John Jensen rest in peace and may his friends and family recognize that this man contributed so much to the humanitarian efforts of our East Brunswick community.

Rebecca Brenowitz

past chairwoman

and member

East Brunswick Human Relations Council

chairwoman

Jewish Community Relations Council

Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County

South River

Participation of many led to success of program

We are proud of the monthlong series of events that marked the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin. The purpose was to share knowledge and appreciation about the accomplishments of this extraordinary American. He was a printer, author, publisher, inventor, scientist, diplomat and revolutionary.

The cultural and educational organizations that participated in this effort included the East Brunswick Historical Society, the East Brunswick Arts Commission, the East Brunswick Recreation Department, the East Brunswick Board of Education and the East Brunswick Public Library.

The proceedings began with a monthlong display in the library featuring a chronology of Franklin’s life along with his writings, wit and advice on a number of topics as well as several books printed on his presses.

On Jan. 8, we had a visit with Philip Dray, who recently authored the book “Stealing God’s Thunder,” a study on one aspect of Franklin’s life.

The following week on Jan. 14, the community was treated to a film on Ben Franklin that highlighted his inventions, diplomacy and involvement in the separation from England, the war for independence and the creation of our government with the U.S. Constitution.

The third big event in our celebration took place on Jan. 22 with the schoolchildren from eight elementary schools who participated in researching and preparing individual projects on Franklin. The winners were selected by their school principals and were awarded special medals. This program was due to the cooperation of Superintendent of Schools JoAnn Magistro. The finale was the appearance of a Ben Franklin impersonator who spoke of Franklin’s life in the 18th century and then responded to questions from the audience. This was followed by a huge birthday party, where the community shared in the birthday cake.

The cooperation of all the organizations and EBTV-Channel 3 and the wonderful coverage by the local news media contributed to the success of the project and to a greater appreciation of one of our great founding fathers.

Estelle Goldsmith

president

East Brunswick Historical Society

East Brunswick Arts Commission

Voters must accept blame for state’s continuing problems

In his letter to the editor, “New Jersey: Enter and See at Your Own Risk,” in the Feb. 9 issue of the Sentinel, Minos Rigopoulis accurately describes a number of problems we face in New Jersey — highest property taxes and insurance rates, high crime, congestion, etc. But while Mr. Rigopoulis warns travelers about our state, he fails to point the finger at those responsible — ourselves.

We must want the high taxes, insurance, crime, etc., because we keep electing the same people to positions of power. Sadly, we have only one political party in this state — the Democrats. The Republicans, such as they are, act like Democrats when the people give them the opportunity to try something different.

We all know what the solution is, but when will we start working for it? Because the one thing we can count on is that our politicians will continue to treat us like sheep if all we do is complain.

Benjamin Feigenbaum

East Brunswick

Elected officials duping residents to benefit developers

A few years back, the voters in New Jersey actually voted for and overwhelmingly supported a new tax to help fund open space. Taxpayers were willing to fund preserving open space in our rapidly developing and overcrowded state.

Never in our wildest dreams would we have ever thought this “preserved land” would be swapped, diverted, exchanged or stolen by our elected officials. Thompson Park in Monroe, Elizabeth River Park in Union and Heavenly Farms in East Brunswick are just a few already on that list, with Boyd Park soon to be added by the amount of dredging being done in the New Brunswick area of the Raritan River.

New Jersey taxpayers, beware. You are being duped once again by your elected officials for the sake of developers. Please help stop this political disregard for what this tax was intended by voicing your concern.

Barbara Pritchard

Milltown

Letters Policy

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