To the editor

Your April 23 editorial "Now, it’s time to listen to the voters" tells the council members of Cresskill and Northvale not to preserve school funding at the current levels. "This is not what the voters want," the editorial states. A Page One article in the South Edition reports that a senior citizen advocate "canvassed the entire borough in the days before the school elections, encouraging all residents to vote." Quite an accomplishment for a Cresskill senior citizen. However, I don’t recall any person ringing my bell regarding the April 15 election. The Suburbanite does its readers no favors by reporting fiction.

The facts are the budget that was voted down was not a mandate by the voters of Cresskill. IN fact, of the 1,178 votes cast, the election was decided by 10 votes or less than 1 percent of the total vote. Is there a tax crisis in the Northern Valley towns? Obviously, there is if you live on a fixed income. In the 25 years I have lived in Cresskill my taxes have tripled. So have other economic variables, such as inflation and income. When I look at the quality of life the town offers, I consider it fair value. Schools and services in our town are excellent. Before I had children I voted for every school budget and will continue to do so as long as I am a resident. They quality of the schools defines the town’s property values.

When the Cresskill Board of Education asked for 3.5 percent tax increase, was that unreasonable considering that is almost the exact rate of inflation? Salaries, fuel and supplies will always costs more, never less. I did not consider that unfair and burdensome.

Is there a simple answer to the problem of continuing higher taxes? How do we continue to pay for top-notch services at a reduced price? My suggestion might be to use the talents of our senior citizens to reduce expenses. Instead of the school board paying for student aides, crossing guards, assistant coaches, cafeteria monitors and other auxiliary personnel why not organize a seniors for students group. This group might consist of volunteer seniors who would enjoy working in the schools one or two days a week interacting with youngsters. This will reduce costs and lower the tax rate. Moreover, our young citizens might learn a few of life’s lessons from a group of people who possess the gifts of intellectual capital, experience and success. It’s a win-win situation for all.

Before dismissing this idea, senior groups such as SCORE, retired entrepreneurs who counsel and advise small businessmen and women have proved to be highly successful. The social significance of interacting children with seniors is treasured in other cultures. Are not citizens of all age’s stakeholders in the success of our community? Erecting age barriers between groups is defeating.

Conventional answers like cutting services do not make a happy community. Using our natural resources in positive ways insures success. Perhaps, the time has come to be more inclusive to all our citizens.

John Dello Russo

Cresskill

Rosenzweig is right for the 1st Ward

To The Editor

I am supporting Ken Rosenzweig for his re-election to 1st Ward councilman in Englewood.

Ken’s accountability and responsiveness have been a breath of fresh air for the 1st Ward and for the entire City of Englewood.

Ken is always available for the residents of the 1st Ward. I can tell you from personal experience, no problem is too big or too small for Ken to help out personally.

Ken’s integrity has brought positive change to the city. We no longer have scandals plaguing the city, such as the costly Health Care Benefits for Life ordinance that Ken and the council undid. We need to keep Ken on the job.

Elisabeth Schwartz

Englewood

Someone needs to learn how to do better math

To the editor

As a one-time math major, I can’t help but comment on two strange bits of arithmetic regarding Englewood taxes, as reported in the April 16 issue:

The first: "For the past three years, the tax increases have been 4.6 percent, 4 percent and now 3.2 percent" Rosenzweig said. Which would sound great, except that one of those increases was based on a stunning revaluation that resulted in a 30 to 50 percent rise in taxation for some homeowners. During that revaluation, we received letters telling us not to worry since a decline in the rate set (currently 1.90 per $100) would compensate for the rise in property value. Oh, well.

Secondly, "According to interim City Manager Robert Casey, $220 million of property value was added to the city’s $5.2 billion tax base this year...translated into the city gaining roughly $1 million more in revenue this year. Wait a minute: 1.90 per 100 x 220 million is 4.18 million dollars, more or less, so leaving aside the pocket change, where did the other $3,000,000 go? Just asking.

Englewood

A voice for Englewood, not party bosses

To the editor

I am proudly supporting Ken Rosenzweig for re-election as 1st Ward councilman for the city of Englewood.

Ken has done a fantastic job in his first two and a half years and we need to keep him on the council. He has finally gotten the city’s budget under control. This year’s tax increase is only 3.2 percent, one of the lowest in a decade. He has worked to reduce the size of the city government, helping save taxpayers millions of dollars.

As the past president of the Englewood Board of Education, the Community Chest and the League of Women Voters I have had ample opportunity to hone my skills in recognizing quality leadership such as Ken’s.

He has been accessible and a resource for the citizens of our city. He has run numerous 1st Ward meetings addressing issues such as gang awareness and traffic control as well as general concerns. As City Council president he has increased the public’s input into city governance by allowing the public to speak before the council vote, instead of the old way where citizens couldn’t speak until after the council had voted on an issue.

But most important of all Ken will continue to be an independent voice for the people of Englewood. In sharp contrast to his opponent in this primary election, he has not been an employee on the political payroll of our city’s mayor nor beholden to out of town political bosses who seek to control the puppet strings of those they push onto the ballot.

Lorraine Cohen

Englewood

Thanks for supporters

To the editor

Once again, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Cresskill had a very successful Military Bridge. It was a fun evening of playing cards, enjoying the many refreshments and winning prizes. They are happy to announce that this annual fundraiser made close to $3,000, which will benefit their scholarship fund.

The club would like to thank the many businesses and restaurants in Cresskill and the surrounding towns for making this possible through their usual generous donations. They would also like to thank the residents of these same towns for attending this night of fun and for their generosity.

Toni McLaughlin

Communications Chairwoman

Cresskill Woman’s Club

Thanks to teachers and parents

To the editor

Teacher Appreciation Week seems a perfect time to highlight the cooperative effort of teachers, parents and PTO members in the Northvale community. As a teacher in Thomas Jefferson School for the past 11 years, I have been part of many activities in the district. This week has always been one to remember. The teachers that I work with are to be commended for their hard work, creativity, thoughtfulness, dedication, and for extending themselves on behalf of the children in our school.

While these are traits often taken for granted in quality schools, it is occasionally worth noting their presence and asserting that they are worthy of both respect and recompense.

This said, parents and community members are just as vital in making a school district successful. While teachers were the recipients of praise last week, parents need also to be commended for their work. The parents that I, and other teachers meet throughout the school year are energetically supportive of their children's education, often at great personal sacrifice; their efforts and kindness this week, along with the generosity of the Northvale PTO, are certainly worth noting!

Thank you for all of your hard work, consideration, support of education, regular behind the scenes efforts and your never-ending willingness to extend your time and talents to our school community. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and you too should be rewarded for them!

So, in this day and age where neither teachers nor parents get all the thanks they deserve for their work on behalf of children, I just wanted to put into writing a very sincere "Thank you!"

Kathleen O'Flynn

Grade one teacher, Northvale Public Schools