B onny Kelter's recent letter to the editor ("Would Anti-Budget Seniors Have Once Supported School Tab?," Sentinel, July 10) derides my opinion ("Voters Said No to Possible Wasteful Spending," Letters to the Editor, Sentinel, July 3) as "just self-serving, expected comments made by senior citizens who are not receiving a direct benefit from the school system."

I am 54 years old, with one child who graduated from East Brunswick High School two years ago, and I have been voting against the school budget since that time that the budget was defeated and the Township Council repudiated the democratic process by overriding the vote. Try again, Ms. Kelter.

In addition, I find it interesting that she derides me for my "self-serving" comments, but has no words of condemnation for herself. After all, since she does have children in the school system, isn't her support for the budget also selfserving?

Ms. Kelter's suggestion that "senior citizens who no longer have an interest in maintaining" her perception of "community values" move and allow families to move in who would appreciate the school system is noteworthy for two points. First, her attitude toward those who have lived their lives here, made friends, established roots, and who continue to contribute to this community (even though they dared to vote against the "holy" school budget), is a stunning display of Ms. Kelter's respect and tolerance for others who have different attitudes than she does. This, evidently, is her vision of America and her "community values."

Second, following Ms. Kelter's suggestion to its logical conclusion, all those who did not support the budget increase would move out to be replaced by those who would receive a "direct benefit" from the school system. This would overwhelm the capacity of the system and cause taxes to go through the roof.

Simply put, Ms. Kelter, the system relies heavily on people who pay taxes but do not use resources. We are a valuable and necessary part of the process even when we dare to disagree with you about the increase.

Ms. Kelter disrepects my opinion. Seeing as how her letter exposes her for the type of person she is, I couldn't be happier.
Benjamin Feigenbaum
East Brunswick