Area October 5, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 17 In celebration of the lifesaving work Community Blood Services conducts locally and around the world, the non-profit blood center will host this year’s fundraising gala, “Around the Community, Around the World,” on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton. Proceeds will help support the center’s many lifesaving programs and services. Dr. Mazzola to be honored at blood services gala The blood center will honor Dr. Catherine A. Mazzola of New Jersey Pediatric Neurosurgical Associates with its “Spirit of Community” award. The Franklin Lakes resident serves as the director of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Craniofacial Center for Atlantic Health System – Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown. She is responsible for saving hundreds of children’s lives in and around the community. Also being honored is Save Latin America, Inc., along with SLA Program Director Johnny Torres and SLA Founder and Chairman Anthony Ibarria Sr. In addition, two police officers who were injured in the line of duty and had lifesaving blood drives held in recognition of their brave work in the community are being recog- nized at this year’s gala. Those officers are Rachel Morgan of the Paramus Police Department and Gerald Veneziano of the Fairfield Police Department. Individual tickets are $250 each; and tables of 10 are also available. For information, contact Jennifer Wilkes at (201) 8958400 or jenniferw@cbsblood.org, or visit www.cbsfoundationgala.com. Letters to the Editor (continued from page 16) Ramapo Board of Education. Tom’s level of commitment to the community, his spirit of volunteerism, and everything he does on a daily basis to support our community have all had a positive impact on the residents of Wyckoff. He never tires of doing the right thing for Wyckoff. He has a handson approach, and is not afraid to listen to new ideas, forge a consensus, or bring new people in to serve the town. Doug Christie is passionate about Wyckoff. He has devoted his life to the township, volunteering over 25 years as a member of the fire department and most recently, as chairman of the Wyckoff Zoning Board. Doug doesn’t stop there. He also supports many charities in town and is always there for them, too. I wholeheartedly support Tom Madigan and Doug Christie for township committee. I am confident that they are running for the right reason: the betterment of Wyckoff. They both share a selfless devotion to our community that we cannot lose. Please vote for the Madigan/Christie team for township committee on Nov. 8. Brian Saxton Wyckoff Dear Editor: We have known Brian Scanlan for many years. As parents of children active in both recreation and club sports, we have seen his commitment toward the youth in our town. In addition to serving on the Wyckoff Parks and Recreation Board, Brian has been a long-time coach and has served in leadership positions in a number of service organizations, including activities sponsored by Saint Elizabeth’s Church, its soup kitchen and youth ministry, and in organizing Habitat for Humanity build trips. Brian has been a strong supporter of maintaining a quality school system and understands the importance of the township committee maintaining an effective and ongoing dialogue with our local and regional boards of education. In his capacity as liaison to the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Brian has also been a staunch supporter of our volunteer first responders. In addition to his town council responsibilities, he found time to complete the training to become a member of our Community Emergency Response Team. Brian Scanlan has served Wyckoff with distinction, and is a proven, effective committeeman. He was instrumental in getting the $1.9 million grant being used to preserve Russell Farms as parkland and the initial $1.3 million grant recommendation for Maple Lake. In addition to voting to continue our open space trust fund for another five years, we will also be voting for Brian Scanlan for Wyckoff Township Committee this Nov. 8. We are lucky to have him working for Wyckoff. Aileen and Walter Stranzl Wyckoff serving on the zoning board of adjustment with him for several years. Doug has shown fair consideration toward township residents and exhibited leadership qualities, particularly in his present capacity as chairman, essential in preserving the character and long heritage of Wyckoff. Tom, too, has exhibited leadership qualities in his current capacity on the township committee and as liaison to the many subcommittees on which he serves. Tom’s guidance and enthusiastic style is particularly noteworthy on the environmental commission and the recently established Green Team Task Force supported by so many caring and committed volunteers. Both Doug and Tom are passionate about open space preservation and will work toward seeking available county and state grant monies in order to assist the township in its efforts to purchase areas of open space. They are also sensitive to lending support for, and partnering with, our four elementary schools, the Eisenhower Middle School, and the Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools in order to promote educational excellence and to ensure township children have access to the best educational resources. Wyckoff will continue to be a great place to live and raise a family with Tom Madigan and Doug Christie on the township committee. The Madigan/Christie team is solutions oriented and both men foster building bridges and building trust. They will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility and keeping property taxes under control. I encourage all residents to vote on Nov. 8 in support of proven leadership with Madigan/Christie. Rich Bonsignore Wyckoff Scanlan ‘serves with distinction’ Dear Editor: I am writing to express my support for Tom Madigan and Doug Christie for Wyckoff Township Committee this November. I’ve known Doug for over 10 years and enjoyed Encourages votes for Madigan and Christie