Letters to the Editor (continued from previous page) the parent organizations of the Ramapo-Indian Hills Regional High School District. FLOW Follies is an approved 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law. The main goal of FLOW Follies is to raise scholarship funds for graduating seniors; this is accomplished through the presentation of an annual musical comedy. The success of FLOW Follies is made possible by the dedication of a multitude of parent volunteers from the FLOW communities (Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff). These parents generously contribute their time and talents to the writing, creation, production and performance of the musical show. Others work behind the scenes doing publicity, selling advertising, and lining up sponsorships. We are all working toward the same goal. Our parent members -- the Friends of FLOW Follies -- have devoted countless hours to reach our goal and had a lot of fun in the process. In the past 24 years, FLOW Follies has raised over $400,500, which has been distributed to hundreds of students, making FLOW Follies the single largest scholarship fundraiser for our two high schools. With parents of graduating seniors moving on, we are always in the need of new recruits to participate on stage, backstage, and behind the scenes. To get involved with the Friends of FLOW Follies, send us an e-mail with your interest(s) to epflowfollies@gmail.com. Carla Pappalardo, Media Coordinator FLOW Follies appearances. Bergen County towns have also benefited from McGuire’s work program, which uses prisoners to clean up county highways. Finally, these improvements and new ideas have been carried out without increasing the cost of county government. In fact, our tax burden has been reduced during their administration. Bergen County boasts one of the lowest tax rates in the state. I strongly support this ticket and urge all Bergen County residents to make sure their good work continues. Carole Holden Franklin Lakes Dear Editor: I am writing to express my support of Rudy Boonstra for Wyckoff Township Committee. He has considerable experience and knowledge of issues both in and out of government. Many residents may not know that for 35-plus years, Rudy has been involved in the local schools and is an advocate for children and their education. Rudy was elected to the Wyckoff Board of Education in 1973 and, for 21 years, served as a trustee in Wyckoff and at Ramapo Indian Hills. He always sought to balance the interests of children, parents, staff members and taxpayers. During his tenure on these boards of education, he was involved in the budget process, labor negotiations, personnel selection and evaluation, new program development, and athletics. He also served as board president. Shortly after Rudy left the Ramapo Hills Board of Education in 1994, he became involved with the Children’s Day Nursery and Family Center, a non-profit pre-school serving children and families of the City of Passaic. He was appointed to their board of directors in 1997, and currently serves as its president. Governing in today’s complex world is not easy and involves dedication, experience, and a caring for the community. Rudy Boonstra has a proven track record and the skills to continue to serve on the Wyckoff Township Committee. He deserves your vote on Nov. 2. Nancy Drabik, Mayor Emeritus Wyckoff Dear Editor: On Friday, Dec. 3, students from Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools will host the annual Holiday Festivals for over 800 students from the Paterson schools. The purpose of these festivities is to help brighten the holiday spirits of children in need. The committees that are organizing these festivals are running a joint collection drive in Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff and are requesting donations of winter clothes, personal care products, school supplies, and food October 27, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17 Endorses Boonstra items for families who are challenged with financial difficulties. Students in all the FLOW elementary and middle schools are joining together in a true community effort with our high school students to help collect specific items to give our student guests by Nov. 1. We can use your help! We are asking for new socks, small memo pads (spiral or padded), travel-size tissue packets, hand sanitizer (2.5 ounce gel or spray), non-perishable foods, and wrapped candy. We are also collecting new and gently used coats in children’s sizes. If you can provide any of these items, please give them to your elementary or middle school student to place in the boxes located in each of their schools. We also welcome financial donations to help offset the cost of busing our student guests. Please address your check to: Ramapo APTS, and write “Holiday Festival” on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to Ramapo High School, 331 George Street, Franklin Lakes, NJ, 07417. On behalf of the students of Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools, we thank you in advance for your generosity. Jo Anne Zellers Collection Drive Coordinator Dear Editor: I am writing to express my support for Rudy Boonstra for Wyckoff Township Committee in the Nov. 2 general election. I’ve known Rudy over 10 years and have had the pleasure of serving on the zoning board of adjustment with him as chairman. Over the years, I’ve developed an admiration for Rudy and his commitment to serve our community. Rudy has always extended fair consideration toward township residents. His leadership qualities enable people to realize a common ground, and his persistence results in getting the job done. Rudy’s recent experience on the Wyckoff Township Committee provides him with the necessary perspective to understand our community’s current challenges and the differing dynamics associated with those challenges. Rudy has already been instrumental in the efforts to preserve Russell Farms as open space, creating new ordinances designed to control the development of Wyckoff, and representing the township with the expansion of our library. Completing these and other issues with Rudy’s contribution would be a natural progression, and assurance that matters will be resolved correctly. Wyckoff needs a decisive thinker such as Rudy Boonstra who will entertain the concerns of others while navigating a given task toward a successful resolution. I encourage all residents to vote in November in support of proven leadership with Rudy Boonstra. Rich Bonsignore Wyckoff Says Boonstra is proven leader Dear Editor: County government in New Jersey has been called the forgotten level of government in the state. How fortunate we are in Bergen County that the present county officials have put that situation to rest and are doing such a fine job for all of us. I refer to County Executive Dennis McNerney, Sheriff Leo McGuire, and Freeholders James Carroll, Elizabeth Calabrese, and James Hogan. Among other things, this team has worked diligently and effectively to increase open space in a county that was rapidly being swallowed up with development and they have provided funding to buy valuable pieces of land throughout the county to preserve what open space is left. In addition, their innovative ideas and ability to introduce areas of shared services have helped to keep local costs down while allowing Bergen County towns to retain their autonomy. Sharing services where possible is especially important in this time of severe fiscal retrenchment throughout the state. The areas of shared services should be increased, and I look to this team to accomplish its expansion. In the area of law enforcement, Sheriff McGuire has whittled down the cost of law enforcement while also making the county safer by reducing the crime rate. His latest idea would bring the court into the jail, thus negating the need for long and costly commutes for prisoners and law enforcement officers when they need to make court Endorsement for county incumbents Organizers need help with festivals Millbrook Estates (continued from page 10) with a partial patio surround. A site plan for this house was recently approved by the planning board with the condition that the borough engineer review the plan to ensure the house will not be greater than two-and-a-half stories and the proposed retaining walls will meet the borough’s four-foot height requirement. The original subdivision was approved after a public hearing that extended through 14 board meetings that began in October 2006. During that time, there were extensive debates and plan changes as a result of the possible impact of the subdivision on a neighbor’s property, the compliance of the plan with the borough’s storm water management plan, the ability of the borough’s volunteer fire department to fight potential fires on the site, and the existence of nitrates in the ground that could affect drinking water in the area. The property had previously been a commercial horse farm with two residences located on the site. F.J. McMAHON We Have The Exact Leaf Blower For Your Needs! CONTROL THE WIND High Output Power Blowers • Patent Pending Design • Aerodynamic Computer Designed Impeller • 3 Large Pneumatic Tires • 5 Year Limited Warranty • Split Discharge Deflector Eliminates Blow-Back • A Size for Every Need PROFESSIONALS DEMAND LITTLE WONDER®, SHOULDN’T YOU? The new PB-620 is Echo’s powerful backpack blower with over 185 MPH and over 530 CFM. • Extra large diameter pipes for the ultimate in blowing performance. • Commercial grade engine and air filtration system. 27 Franklin Turnpike Waldwick 201-652-5666 OPEN SUNDAY 9-3 Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8 Sat 8-5 www.homehardwaresupply.com