Letters
Internship program should be revived

I was very fortunate to be part of an educational South Brunswick Township initiative during the summers of 2001 and 2002. The Mayor's Internship Program - created and developed by Mayor Debra Johnson - gave we, the interns, a great view into government as well as exposed us to the real world workplace. I understand now the program is very different, almost nonexistent.

Working with Debra Johnson was a wonderful experience - she was a fair and knowledgeable employer who exposed the interns to the positive aspects of government as well as how to navigate local government. Also - along with learning the different aspects of the government - the internship program taught us what it means to be in a real workplace. Even though at the time of the internships I was coming out of my freshman and sophomore years, it taught me a great deal. It assisted in teaching me how to go through a proper interview, how to interact with people properly, and the time management of finishing projects on time.

Without a doubt, I can say this internship assisted in landing me another summer internship after my freshman year of college with Johnson & Johnson. The skills and abilities of how to act or what to do in a working environment, as well as how to perform well in an interview, were all obtained mainly from the mayor's summer internship program. Being young and being exposed to this type of work ethic takes an individual far in both the working world and in life.

I would strongly suggest the town consider reinstituting this internship program in the near future. I understand something like this takes time and effort; however, it is truly worth it.

Shilpn Patel

Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick

Public cell phone abuse is getting out of hand

One cannot deny that cell phones have made their niche in our current lifestyle - hence, one is often likely to wonder how we ever survived without them. A recent incident, however, has led me to believe that the use of cell phones has gone too far in its infiltration into our lives to the point of aberration.

Upon a recent visit to my doctor - whose waiting room is unusually small, allowing room for only six chairs - I was awaiting my appointment with only one other patient on the opposite side of the room. Soon a young woman entered the office, holding an infant in a carrier. She sat down in the seat beside me and immediately proceeded to use her cell phone. In an audible voice, she commenced to discuss with the person on the other end her miserable, sordid marriage, going into vitriolic, specific and intimately graphic detail using equally disturbing expletives that are unfit for the public and unfit to print. I glanced across the room at the other waiting patient and discovered that both of us were in disbelief as to what we were hearing. The young woman continued this diatribe until she was called in by the doctor.

Needless to say, I was stunned and revolted. I couldn't believe that this young woman, with an infant in tow, had no discomfort, pride or shame in [airing] her dirty laundry so vocally and audibly on her cell phone, forcing us strangers to have to listen to her. What has happened to young people today? If they have no pride, should we the public have to be subjected to such rude, thoughtless behavior?

Unfortunately, it is not only the young who behave in such a manner. I and others have also had most irritating experiences in restaurants where middle-aged businessmen and women think nothing of discussing personal matters on their cell phones in such loud voices that they can be heard tables or booths away, disturbing others' conversations and overall dining privacy.

Whatever happened to the courtesy of privacy while dining in a restaurant, riding public transportation or just shopping at a store? The obvious reality is that it has become "so cool" - perhaps even sophisticated - to babble endlessly regardless of the place, time or necessity, subjecting others to the madness.

The use of the cell phone has gone from a simple, useful necessity to a moronically abominable abuse - and I just can't take it anymore.

Sylvia Joffe

Edison

Attendance encouraged at upcoming school board meetings

We sincerely thank the people who came to the Board of Education meeting March 16. It is essential we - as Board of Education members - hear, understand and address your concerns. We also thank the many people who have given their support and time to our students and the school district in countless ways.

A key responsibility of a member of the Board of Education is to communicate with members of the community regarding progress and plans for our students' education. We pledge to communicate with you and listen to you. These are upcoming meetings and events:

+ March 28 at 8 p.m. - school budget meeting, Board of Education offices

+ April 5 at 7:30 p.m. - candidates night, Linwood Middle School

+ April 11 at 7 p.m. - conference meeting, Board of Education offices

+ April 11 at 8 p.m. - regular meeting, Board of Education offices

+ April 18 from 2-9 p.m. - election for Board of Education members and vote on the school budget, local polling places

+ April 25 at 8 p.m. - reorganization meeting, Board of Education offices.

You are always welcome at our meetings, and we hope to see you there. For news and the dates of future meetings, please check our Web site www.nbtschools.org.

Mary J. Chyb

North Brunswick Board of Education member

CEO salaries climb while workers lack benefits

The CEO of Yahoo earned $109.3 million in salary, stock options and perks last year. That is enough money to provide full health-care coverage for 53,000 uninsured Americans or to provide day care for more then 25,000 working mothers.

I'm not suggesting that the CEOs of America's largest corporations should not be well-compensated. But I do think there needs to be some sort of balance in our economy if we are to sustain the middle class, which, after all, are the consumers that buy the goods, services, products and concepts that provide the profits that allow the companies to pay their CEOs the dollars that they command today.

At a time when more and more working men and women are going without health-care insurance, more than 47 million Americans are without health-care coverage, and more and more unions are being busted by abusive uses of bankruptcy laws and by outsourcing of American jobs. Isn't it time for us to reflect upon the nature of the relationship between employers and employees in our country?

Chip Gerrity

New Jersey International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Hightstown

YMCA's Heat praised for successful season

The YMCA Heat just completed a successful season of travel basketball. The South Brunswick Family YMCA sponsored a U12 boy's team that played in the Central Jersey Basketball League and the North Brunswick Basketball League. Over the course of approximately 20 league games and four tournaments, the parents watched proudly as a group of 12-year-old boys grew together as a team, endured some tough losses and rejoiced over some exciting wins.

There were some low points with blow-out losses to some very experienced teams punctuated by some significant wins, including one win over the local PAL A team. The Heat had their bright spots too including the breakout performance by Keval Patel in the 2006 March Madness tournament in which he hit a team record five 3-pointers. Overall, DJ Watson led the Heat in scoring and James Gazawie played solid defense. Fritz Kennely slashed his way to the basket and helped break down the pressure and Drew Hill supplied the team's energy and enthusiasm.

Andrew Lupo and Max Mandel were the Heat's designated three-point shooters, and David Li was the top interior reserve, steadily improving over the season. Troy Allgood and Arpan Banav teamed together to provide the Heat with a reliable and consistent source of points and rebounds. Josh Varughese played harassing defense and Devin Bryant led the Heat's offense, consistently breaking down the opponent's pressure defense while Malcolm McNeil played with fire and determination.

I would like to thank the coaches - Dennis McNeil and Kevin Bryant. Dennis and Kevin stepped up to provide the leadership necessary to help the boys grow as a team and improve their skills. It's easy to coach on Monday morning after a weekend of games and discuss the how we might have done a better job. Thanks to Dennis and Kevin for their willingness to volunteer and help the boys experience the demands of travel basketball.

Tom Libassi

executive director

South Brunswick Family YMCA

Monmouth Junction section

of South Brunswick