Letters
Work cooperatively to demand fair wages

At a time when people throughout the world are struggling to emulate the United States by improving their standard of living and creating middle class lifestyles for their workers, many of the corporate interests in the United States seem bound and determined to change the course of history in our country and drive working men and women back into the dark ages of wage earning.

The newest assault — which is getting a foothold in many parts of the country — is an attack on the prevailing wage standards set throughout our nation. These standards provide that employees — who live and work in a specific area of the country — be paid “prevailing wage” for that area. The idea is to prevent out-of-state contractors — who might have itinerant labor or illegal aliens on their payroll — from coming in underbidding a job, and taking jobs away from working men and women in a particular state.

It is a sensible, intelligent way of ensuring the taxpayers of a given community have the ability to pay those taxes by earning fair wages and being able to support their families.

Furthermore, these orchestrated assaults on prevailing wages will ultimately have the negative effect of undermining our economy.

Henry Ford, no friend of labor, understood that nearly 100 years ago.

At that time, Ford introduced the then unheard wage of $5 a day which provided the opportunity for his work force to get into the middle class and be able to afford the products that they created. That — in a very real sense — was the genesis of the American middle class.

It is time for all Americans to work cooperatively to ensure the economic security of us as a nation. No hands out, just the ability of hardworking men and women to earn a fair, i.e. “prevailing wage” for the work they do so well.

Chip Gerrity, President New Jersey IBEW

Hightstown

Halloween event a tremendous success

On Oct. 29, “Tailgate Trick or Treat” was held for South Brunswick residents at Woodlot Park. This is the fourth year for this annual event, and it was a tremendous success. More than 350 participants enjoyed a car-decorating contest; Ben Lipman, a roving entertainer and magician; goody bags; pumpkin painting; and most of all “tailgate trick or treating.”

On behalf of South Brunswick Department of Recreation and Community Affairs, I would like to acknowledge the businesses and organizations that made contributions and the volunteers who contributed their time, enthusiasm, and skills to the program. Their dedication to our community made this event possible.

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for their generous donations, assistance and support: South Brunswick PBA and DARE; Cushla Rullo, event coordinator for the Girl Scout troops of South Brunswick; Guiseppe’s; Frankie’s Café; Kendall Park Pizzeria; Dusal’s; Capriccio’s Pizza; Burger King; McDonald’s; Cold Stone Creamery; Confectionately Yours; Dunkin’ Donuts; Princeton Sports Center; Kendall Park Roller Rink; Grand Slam; Ausome Candies Inc.; Pleasant Hill Farm; Stop and Shop of Dayton; Von Thun’s Country Market; and Amato’s Garden Center Nursery & Landscaping.

Also, I would like to thank the following individual volunteers: Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett, Joe Camerota and Charlie Carley for helping with the judging of the cars and the pumpkin painting; CCD students of St. Cecilia’s, and St. Augustine’s; and Rutgers Prep High School students for helping with the food table.

Finally, I would like to thank the Department of Parks & Recreation staff: Jennifer Petri, Nancy Messina, Marybeth Miele, Ricky Luca, Rex Mangrum, Stephen Dahl, and Greg Aaron, all of whom went far beyond the call of duty to make this event an unqualified success.

Pat Papenberg

program coordinator

South Brunswick

Department of Recreation

and Community Affairs

Relative of Katrina survivors gives thanks to supporters

This fall at its annual “Pride Celebration,” the North Brunswick Township public school system brought the community together to celebrate its support of our nation, our troops and our people. In so doing, they also opened their hearts and their pocketbooks to support the needy. This year — through the leadership of Dr. Robert J. Rimmer, superintendent of schools — some of the victims of Hurricane Katrina who had relatives in the school system were the recipients of this generosity.

My sister, Nancy, and her son, Ryan, who live in Gulfport, Miss., shared in the generosity of the community’s donations at the Pride Celebration. Having received substantial damage to their house from Hurricane Katrina, they were required to live in a camper when they returned home after evacuating. Ryan’s school was also closed, so he moved to New Jersey to live with me and attend school in New Jersey until his school was repaired and reopened.

On behalf of my sister and her son, I want to publicly thank Dr. Rimmer, district administrators, and all of the staff of the North Brunswick Public School System for planning, coordinating and supporting this endeavor. I also want to thank the residents of Central Jersey and North Brunswick, in particular, for their generosity in helping her to recover from her losses. It has been two months since Hurricane Katrina and she still has not received any money from her insurance company. The generous donations she received from friends, family and the residents of North Brunswick have enabled her to begin repairs on her home and have made it possible for her to move back into her house while the remaining work is completed.

It seems as if the world has experienced tragedy after tragedy in recent years, but the goodwill and giving spirit of our citizenry continue to rise to the occasion and reach out to aid and assist those in need. Words cannot adequately express the thankfulness of those who have been touched by your generosity and your compassion. God bless you all.

Beverly M. Nemeth

(former North Brunswick resident)

Barnegat Light