October 23, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 15 Letters to the Editor (continued from page 14) you know who sent it, please let that person know this is not the type of support you want. As candidates, please set an example of transparency and urge all to stand openly behind their words. Let your supporters know that anonymity, slander, and fear mongering are unacceptable. A formal statement condemning this sort of behavior should also be made by our current board of education. As leaders of our community, we need you to speak up and let everyone know that these negative tactics are unacceptable and unwelcome. Let’s stay positive. Run on your merits and set an example our town can be proud of! Susan Miller Franklin Lakes Urges support for public question Dear Editor: Many veterans’ organizations in New Jersey, like your local American Legion post, are living from fundraiser to fund- raiser, with little extra cash put away for a rainy day, so if a fire or hurricane destroys a local post’s building, reconstruction could be insurmountable. With many of these structures 50 to 60 years old, even paying for upkeep can be a challenge, as simply replacing an air conditioning unit can cost $10,000. The challenges of insuf- ficient funds could cause some of these organizations to fold, taking away from the community a vital partner, supporter, and community center. To aid these organizations, voters will be asked to approve a constitutional a mendment on Nov. 5 which would allow veterans’ organizations to use the net pro- ceeds from games of chance to give them greater financial flexibility to pay their bills. The legislation enabling the change, S-87, requires the approval of a constitu- tional amendment, proposed in SCR-11, to become effective. Approval of the a mend- ment would not cause any increase in taxes. “If a veterans’ association has to shut its doors because they can no longer pay their electric bill or afford the basic costs of their facilities, they won’t be able to continue to provide the valuable services that their community has come to depend upon,” said State Senator Dawn Marie Addiego (Dis- trict 8), who sponsored the legislation with Kip Bateman (District 16). Some of those services include spon- soring Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops; sending local students to Boys State and Girls State; enhancing education in the schools with a patriotic coloring contest, safety essay contest, and an oratorical contest on the Constitution, scholarships, and school awards at graduation; sup- porting Hiring Our Heroes job fairs and events at veterans homes; and aiding local veterans or our troops. “This is a vital piece of legislation for the viability of many of our veterans’ posts,” said Jim Amos, state commander of the American Legion, Dept. of New Jersey. “The closure of a post would have a rip- pling negative effect throughout the com- munity with the loss of programs, services, and events provided by the American Legion that residents have come to expect. We ask the citizens of New Jersey to sup- port us by voting ‘yes’ on public question number 1.” The question that will appear on the ballot on Nov. 5 asks: “Do you approve amending the (state) constitution to allow veterans’ organizations to use money from existing games of chance to support their organization?” For God and country we continue to serve. Robert Salvini, Commander Bergen County American Legion Keep an open mind Dear Editor: The election signs are back for the Franklin Lakes K-8 Board of Education. Last year, I was elected as a trustee for a three-year term, and will continue to serve our community until my term expires in 2016. Currently, I am the chairperson of Community Relations Committee and I sit on the Operations and Policy committees. Although I was not as experienced when I joined the BOE as a new trustee, I brought new ideas and insight. I have learned a good amount in a short time. New trustees can be inquisitive, and will listen to gain an under- standing. New trustees allow for progress and growth from the status quo. Our life experiences and understanding of what it means to be a student, parent, teacher, or a taxpayer is all the experience one needs prior to beginning the responsi- bility. Our role as trustees is to work as a collaborative team, while working directly with the administration. Over the next six months, we will be searching for a new superintendent to lead our district forward. We will need to work together for the bet- terment of our children and school district. What does it take to serve on the BOE? I believe that it is a desire to serve with an open mind. This is the essential ingredient to be an effective school board trustee. Everyone on the board, past or present, had to start somewhere. Just as valuable as experience, the dedication to learn and the willingness to constantly seek improvement is what will generate results, as none of us is able to perform alone. Please note that school board elections are non-partisan. Candidate placement is random, and not based on any political affiliation. I encourage all of you to have an open mind, rise above, and consider all of the candidates. Shirley O’Reilly, Trustee Franklin Lakes Board of Education Supporting Christopoul & Schwartz Dear Editor: Being awarded the privilege of serving my community on the Franklin Lakes K-8 Board of Education for 10 years has been an honor. During my tenure on the board, amazing programs, challenging curricula, new facil- ities, and the recruitment and retention of amazing administrators and teachers were the cornerstone of the wonderful education system we have in Franklin Lakes---from good to great and, as Forbes Magazine had said a few years ago, one of the leading districts in the country on value for dollars spent. Unfortunately, recent majority deci- sions by those sitting on the board for only a few months, have left the fantastic team of teachers and administrators without the seasoned, expert, solid support of leadership that a district like Franklin Lakes needs and deserves. I asked my fellow board members at the time, “What’s the plan?” Not once, now nor then, has the majority of the board that caused these problems, presented a plan. In order to right this ship, I urge you to re-elect Christine Christopoul and Kathie Schwartz on Election Day. These two indi- viduals have demonstrated their dedication and reasoned approach to quality education in Franklin Lakes. Both candidates have served with me on the board, and were instrumental and integral to the improve- ments that Franklin Lakes achieved over the years. We have no time to waste. It will take a minimum of two years before a new super- intendent can make meaningful change. It is imperative that reasonable people with- out predetermined agendas, people with experience on the board, represent our community and return our schools to the level of quality we had and deserve. Please support Christopoul and Schwartz for your board of education in November. Richard Koenigsberg, Trustee Franklin Lakes Board of Education (Note: The opinions expressed here are Mr. Koenigsberg’s and do not necessarily represent those of the board of education.) Urges votes for Christopoul & Schwartz Dear Editor: Having been in the Franklin Lakes School District for over 11 years, I have served on the Woodside PTA executive board, various district wide committees, and ultimately ran for, and was elected to, the Franklin Lakes Board of Education last year. During this time, I have had the privilege of working with many wonder- ful people, but none more dedicated, fair- minded, and hard-working than Christine Christopoul and Kathie Schwartz. They are the two people with whom I want to serve on the board of education after this year’s election. Both Christopoul and Schwartz bring many exceptional qualities to the table, one of the most important being experience. With our longest-running board member not seeking re-election, it is imperative to have board members with past knowledge of the district and board experience which is vital, since major decisions will be made in the coming year. Both Christopoul and Schwartz have these qualities and more, having served on the board for approxi- mately four years each. In addition, they both have a keen understanding of the dif- ference between ensuring a school is well run (the purpose of the board) and running a school (the responsibility of the adminis- tration). Christopoul and Schwartz have a proven record of working collaboratively with school administrators and other board mem- bers. They have helped the district manage tough economic choices while continu- ing to improve the quality of our students’ education. Perhaps most importantly, and speaking directly to their character, they have always conducted themselves in a courteous, positive, and respectful manner, whether they shared their colleagues’ opin- ions or not. In the best interests of the students, school district, and the Franklin Lakes community as a whole, I urge you to join me in voting for Christine Christopoul and Kathie Schwartz on Nov. 5. Jackie Veliky, Trustee Franklin Lakes Board of Education (Note: These opinions are Ms. Veliky’s and not those of the board of education.) Zolfo offers fresh direction Dear Editor: Franklin Lakes is fortunate to have four candidates interested in three K-8 board of education positions in the upcoming November election. I urge the community to consider Anthony “Tony” Zolfo for one of these positions. As a long-time, highly respected, senior executive at Express Scripts (Medco), Tony is a thoughtful leader with the ability to weed through minutia, identify goals, objectives, and tac- tics to address needs. His ability to priori- tize issues in the district will lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness of the board. The district is entering into an impor- tant search for a new superintendent. Tony’s ability to be objective and balanced is criti- cal in ensuring the district obtains an expe- rienced educator able make an immediate difference in Franklin Lakes Schools. Tony provides a fresh perspective and a willing- ness to work together with the current board members to achieve the common goal of excellent education for current and future students. It is time for the district to start working together to improve the curriculum and the educational environment for the children in the community. Franklin Lakes deserves a board member who can help members move beyond the controversies of the past, reunite the community, and make positive changes for the future. Please consider Anthony Zolfo for a renewed energy and fresh direction for our schools. Lorrie Savas Franklin Lakes