November 21, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 Franklin Lakes Scribe Republican Club holds elections The Franklin Lakes Republican Club will meet on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:45 p.m. in the Ambulance Corps Building on Bender Court. The membership will nominate and elect club officers and trustees for the 2013 term, review Election Day results, and discuss programs for the coming year. Meetings are open to the club and prospective members. Light refreshments will be served. For additional information, contact Pete Swist at (201) 337-5140. PBA holds Coat Drive The Franklin Lakes Police Department PBA Local 150 will hold its Annual Coat Drive on Dec. 1 and 2. This year, the PBA will also collect winter hats and gloves. Donated items may be dropped off at the Franklin Lakes Police Department at 490 DeKorte Drive. Last year’s coats were donated to Saint John the Baptist Church in Paterson, where they were distributed locally to those in need. Board of education to meet The Franklin Lakes Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The 8 p.m. meeting will be held in the music room at Franklin Lakes Middle School at 755 Franklin Avenue. Christmas programs set The Franklin Lakes Public Library is offering two lighthearted Christmas programs. The programs are free and open to the public. Seating will be available on a “first come” basis. On Dec. 2, the library will hold a Holiday Music Program featuring Celtic harpist and Franklin Lakes resident Lauren Mary Longo. Hear some new twists on not-so-traditional carols from around the world. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Lakes Library. On Dec. 4, Glenn LeBoeuf will present a history of Christmas at 7 p.m. Come to laugh and learn as LeBoeuf explores the many facts and fallacies concerning one of the most magical times of the year. The Franklin Lakes Public Library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive. For details, call the library at (201) 891-2224. Temple plans Chanukah Celebration Barnert Temple invites the community to a Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4:45 p.m. The event will feature the lighting of the outdoor Menorah, a potluck supper, and a Latke Taste-Off. Attendees are invited to enter their favorite latkes in the taste-off contest and bring a menorah to add to the festive atmosphere. There will be games, arts and crafts, and Chanukah “gelt” for children. Music for singing and dancing will be provided by NYC Klezmer, a live Klezmer Band based in New York. Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to The Center of United Methodist Aid to the Community. CUMAC is devoted to alleviating hunger for those in need in Paterson and in northern New Jersey. RSVP to mary@bilapartners.com. For information about joining Barnert Temple, contact Alice Berdy, membership liaison, at (201) 848-1027. The temple is located at 747 Route 208 South in Franklin Lakes. Scouts sponsor Christmas Tree Sale Letters to the Editor (continued from page 8) what we are capable of doing in the face of calamity previously unknown to this area. As returning councilmen, we will continue our best efforts to address, on your behalf, whatever challenges may lie in the future. Charles Kahwaty Thomas Lambrix Franklin Lakes Dear Editor: Many thanks to Jeff Allyn, director of Midland Park Emergency Services, the Midland Park Department of Public Works, the Midland Park Ambulance Corps, and the Midland Park Police Department for going above and beyond to ensure that my husband had access to oxygen during the five days of blackout after Hurricane Sandy. Thanks to their help and kindness, his health was kept safe during and after the storm. Joan Kaldawi Midland Park informed of the status of power via computer updates and detailed leaflets available at local shopping sites, etc. His wife, Maureen, also stopped by our house in person to inquire about our status. Maureen and Frank Bivona did not have power themselves, yet managed to do everything possible to show how much they care about the well-being of borough residents. Political figures are often accused of being self-centered, but the Bivonas deserve a tip of the hat and round of applause for their compassionate efforts. Rosalie Longo Franklin Lakes Dear Editor: I am responding to the Oct. 17, 2012 letter entitled “Faults landlord for deli’s move.” I have known the building owner and former owner of the La Strada enterprise for a very long time. In that time, I have never met a more generous, fair, and upright business owner and employer. With regard to “helping those in need,” the landlord was informed by the tenant several months before Oct. 14 that he could not continue the business or pay the rent. The building was in bad need of repair before it could be serviceable. Even though the repairs would cost thousands of dollars, the landlord agreed to forgo the rest of the rent if the tenant would allow the landlord to begin repairs of the property in the basement only while the tenant completed his business by Oct. 15. La Strada was never forced to close or forced out of the building by the owner. In fact, the tenant had left foodstuffs in the walk-in box which he was at liberty to pick up at his discretion. Upon inspection, he chose to remove a small quantity of food and forfeited the rest. While I understand the emotions involved, I believe that fair and responsible journalism should verify the truth of the views voiced when they may affect the reputation of the people involved. Meybol Bello Ridgewood Editor’s note: The information referenced was in a letter to the editor, which reflected the writer’s opinion and not the views of the Villadom Times. Appreciative of assistance Franklin Lakes Boy Scout Troop 34 will hold its Christmas Tree Sale on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Nov. 24. Nursery-grown trees will be sold at the Franklin Lakes United Methodist Church at 454 Pulis Avenue. Wreaths and roping for the holiday season will also be available for purchase. The sale will continue through Dec. 23. Writer responds Dear Editor: Like many other residents in Franklin Lakes, we felt the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. We lost five huge trees, two of which fell inches away from our 1760 stone farmhouse on Franklin Lake Road, but our lives were spared and we thank God for that. So many others in New Jersey were not as fortunate. They lost everything, including loved ones. It wasn’t easy going back to the 1700s, when the original owners of our home, the Van Winkles, survived without all of the comforts we take for granted today, but we managed to endure six days and nights in bone-chilling 40-degree indoor temperatures. Besides not having heat, we were also without water, light, phone service, and bathroom facilities. When things became unbearable, we stayed with our daughter in Pompton Plains. My husband and I have nothing but words of praise for Mayor Frank Bivona who was without power himself, but managed to pressure Rockland Electric for restoration of power and got things moving in the right direction. In addition to that, Mayor Bivona did his utmost to keep borough residents Applauds mayor for exceptional efforts