Letters
No. Brunswick PBA thanks supporters

On behalf of the executive board and the entire membership of North Brunswick Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 160, we want to take this opportunity to thank all of the members of the community — including the residents and businesses — that support us each and every year. Because of this cooperative financial effort between the community and the police officers in PBA Local 160, we were then able to contribute to several other organizations in need of assistance.

In September, our organization donated a flag pole which was installed at the North Brunswick 911 Memorial Park across the street from the municipal building. Most recently, in December, we sponsored the WinterFest at the municipal building and also donated $5,000 to the North Brunswick Food Bank, which will use this donation to provide assistance to numerous families throughout the community.

The PBA is appreciative of your moral and financial support and looks forward to working with you in protecting and serving the community. Thank you again for your support, and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.

John Haas,

president and members of North Brunswick

PBA Local 160

Interfaith service celebrated our diversity

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church would like to thank the many members of the community that crowded our church Sunday evening, Nov. 21 for the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service sponsored by the South Brunswick Area Clergy Association.

South Brunswick Police Department Detective Jim Ryan’s presentation of the post-Katrina travails of South Brunswick’s partner town of D’Iberville, Miss., was gripping, and the people present responded with an offering of $781 for “South Brunswick Rallies for Relief.” The readings and musical offerings by the Jewish, Muslim and Christian congregations represented reminded us all that we can come together for worship, fellowship and a common cause while respecting and even celebrating our differences.

This annual service — which has recently been hosted by the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, the Six Mile Run Reformed Church of Franklin Park, and Congregation B’nai Tikvah — has been a vital part of the life of our community for over a generation. There are not many places in the world, sadly, where this kind of service takes place — or is even conceivable.

In America it can happen — in the South Brunswick/North Brunswick/Franklin community, it does happen.

The Rev. Francis A. Hubbard

rector, St. Barnabas

Episcopal Church

South Brunswick

Protect pets from rabies

In light of the fact that rabies has been found in North Brunswick, it is imperative pet owners be responsible for their pet’s protection.

The township of North Brunswick is again offering a free rabies clinic Jan. 14 at the North Brunswick Municipal Complex on Hermann Road. Dogs and cats must be up-to-date on their license, 2006 due date is Jan. 31.

The North Brunswick Humane Association volunteers will gladly provide transportation to and from the clinic if needed. We can provide cat and dog carriers, if necessary. Please arrange for transportation by Jan. 9 by calling Claire Butkus at (732) 828-0413 or Annemarie Walters at (732) 297-5525.

Annemarie Walters

president

North Brunswick

Humane Association

Emergency response quality disturbs local resident I am writing you to let you know about something that is really wrong in North Brunswick. We have a volunteer first aid squad that hardly makes it out to a call. We pay tax dollars to have a paid company answer our calls during the day yet the first aid squad has enough donations from the town to buy new rigs.

I had to call 911 Dec. 9 because my 2- year-old daughter tore her lip almost off her face. I called at around 8 p.m. It was 8:10 and still no sign of an ambulance. Meanwhile, my daughter was screaming and bleeding. I called 911 a second time and asked when someone was coming out. I was told North Brunswick couldn’t get out and they called Mutual Aid but could not get Milltown. An ambulance finally showed up at 8:30, they were from Monmouth Junction (South Brunswick). Finally at 8:36 we were en route to Robert Wood. My daughter needed seven stitches.

This isn’t the first time. This is the fifth time I have needed an ambulance and North Brunswick hasn’t shown up. The first two times — my son cut his head open and I was about to give birth on my couch — Rural Metro came; two times after that — my son needed to go to the hospital, he is bi-polar — it was Milltown and the last, Monmouth Junction. Why can’t our squads get out? If it were a parade, they would be there with bells on, but an emergency and they are nowhere to be found. It is sad that there is a joke around town — Don’t have a heart attack in North Brunswick, you will die before an ambulance gets to you.

Sharon Merz

North Brunswick