I was watching the East Brunswick Township Council Candidates' Forum on EBTV this past weekend and, of course, the redevelopment at the Golden Triangle was debated. Misstatements by candidate David Stahl prompted me to write this letter.

First, he stated that Toll Brothers is paying $30.4 million for the purchase of the property. He neglected to say that it will cost between $29 million and $32 million (depending on who is quoting the figures) for the construction of a new parking deck for the commuters, not to mention approximately $18 million for interest on the bonds needed to fund this project, since East Brunswick presently doesn't have the cash to pay for it. This means that the redevelopment will put East Brunswick at least $17 million in the red.

Second, he said that the town would receive approximately $3 million in real estate taxes, compared to the $500,000 it presently receives in rent. That lease, which began in 1978, will expire in 2008. At that point in time, the town could easily get the same $3 million in rent from the lessee. In plain English, that means the residents could keep Sam's Club conveniently where it is, at no additional cost to the taxpayers, with no inconvenience to the commuters. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Finally, my husband served on the East Brunswick Redevelopment Advisory Committee. At the time, his committee selected Toll Brothers, partially because the developer stated there would be 210 age-restricted units, and the cost of the parking deck was quoted at approximately $18 million. Now, there is a proposal for 400 unrestricted units, and the cost of the parking deck has skyrocketed to between $29 million and $32 million.

I have lost faith in the incumbents. For that reason, I am voting for Robert Tagliente, Dr. Gene DeMarzo and Suzanne Blum this Nov. 7. I urge my friends and fellow residents to do the same.

Joan R. Weintraub

East Brunswick