To the Editor: Time For Big Cuts##M:[more]##
I am appalled to see property taxes rising on an average of 7 to 13 percent in New Jersey towns during recessionary times, when they were already high. Like the airline industry — which cut wages of their employees by almost 30 percent to survive in a competitive world — the budgets of school, police, municipal, and fire departments must be cut by similar margins to contain or cut rising property taxes.
A typical elementary school (grade K-3) in New Jersey with around 400-500 children, appears to have over 50 people on its staff with a budget of over $2.5 million for salaries, not counting the expense of utilities, maintenance, depreciation on property, and not withstanding the fact these properties are exempt from property taxes.
If all these factors are taken into account, the real budget almost seems to be around $5 million for these children or an average of $10,”000 per child per year! That is ridiculous. And many children cannot still read, write properly, or do simple oral or written math by the time they leave elementary, middle, or high schools.
The $67.1 million proposed budget for roughly 4,”670 students at the Montgomery schools comes to $14,”368 per year not counting the rental value of all the schools. This is an outrageous amount! Despite spending these amounts of money per child, the quality of students coming out from U.S. schools remain poor. Providing kids with laptops or other luxuries at schools is not the solution, improving discipline is.
In India, the best private schools charge less than $1,”000 in tuition fees per year and yet the quality of students, discipline, knowledge, and behavior appears to be much better — the principal reason behind why software jobs have been outsourced to India besides lower wages.
It is time to eliminate all frivolous positions in schools — foreign languages, music, nurse, substitute teaching budget, special education teachers, speech teachers, teacher’s aides, counselors, psychologist, social aides, doctors, etc.
The schools should only focus on core subjects and any subject or area deemed luxurious, parents should pay for that if they desire. Why do schools need nurses and doctors when they are available in the neighborhood in most cases? Why should school spend over $50,”000 on special education teachers for slow children when they only have two to five children in every period?
Why should teachers be taking paid days off for non-emergency appointments — with substitute teachers replacing them — when such an appointments can be made after 4 p.m. or on the weekends. Why should there be five to six Spanish teachers for so few students? The teachers should be working more and taking a pay-cut and must have a load of 25 to 30 children in every period.
Nor should public schools be a place for non-performing disruptive children who have no desire to learn. Nor should they be promoted automatically if they do not have the necessary skills to perform at the next level. It is time for the mayors to look into the school budgets and slash unnecessary positions and trim the fat.
Similar wastes can easily be seen in police and fire department, when officers and chiefs can be seen driving luxury SUVs when a small car can easily serve the purpose. Salaries and over-time must be cut as these jobs carry less risk in suburban areas compared to high-risk cities.
I don’t see any reason why a police office should be making $40,”000 to $100,”000 in salary plus overtime and all paid benefits when the residents cannot afford to pay these ridiculous property taxes that have reached insane levels.
It is time for the residents to wake up and start protesting and electing mayors who can reduce taxes drastically.
Copy: Mayor of Plainsboro, Peter Cantu
Harbir Singh
8207 Tamarron Drive, Plainsboro
Editor’s note: Mr. Singh refers to a proposed budget in Montgomery that would cost $14,”368. In West Windsor-Plainsboro, according to the state’s most recent education report card, total per pupil costs are $12,”423. The state average is $11,”903.
Who Pays For Illegal Immigrants?
Yes, I confess, I’m the West Windsor resident who dismayed Judy Lowry with my complaints about the use of my taxes to support illegal immigrants.
In her January 21 letter to the editor, Ms. Lowry reminds me that we’re a nation of immigrants, and that these uninvited guests do the “low paid work” so that the rest of us can maintain our “accustomed, more comfortable life style.” How nice.
Fact: The Census Bureau estimates that illegal alien households used $10 billion more in government services in 2002 than they paid in taxes. This figure is for federal government services only. Add to this the costs paid by local and state governments for services extended to illegal immigrants, and you have a whopping number. If the immigrants don’t pay, then who does? That’s a dumb question.
I, for one, do object to paying for the health care, educational costs, police and fire protection and all other social services consumed by illegal immigrants. And yes, Ms. Lowry, I do understand that we’re a nation of immigrants. Let them continue to come, but legally and with the full blessing of the American people.
Lloyd Gracey
West Windsor
For Healthy Living
While we are all familiar with our role as a consumer of material goods such as food, appliances and electronic equipment, we are also consumers of health. A wise health consumer is a physically and emotionally healthy consumer.
Good health encompasses physical health, emotional and mental well being, and the ability to navigate the health care system. Wise Health Consumer Month is a reminder to make a commitment to living a healthy life.
“Moderation is the cornerstone of any healthy lifestyle,” says Robert Hary, health officer for the West Windsor. “While they promise a quick fix, dramatic diets and extreme exercise programs just don’t work in the long run”. Follow these basic tips for a lifetime of good health:
Don’t smoke. If you are a smoker call 1-866-657-8677 or visit www.nj.quitnet.com for smoking cessation resources.
Maintain a healthy weight. After you strip away the gimmicks, just about every weight loss plan is a version of “calories in — calories out.”
Enjoy moderate physical activity. Aim for five days a week, 30 minutes a day.
Choose a “whole food” diet that includes more fruits and vegetables, low fat meats, poultry, fish and dairy products, and whole grains.
Drink in moderation, or not at all.
Manage your stress. Get enough sleep, practice stress management techniques, and laugh a little. Humor is nature’s most effective stress reducer!
Be an active participant in your health care. Remember that you are still a “consumer” when choosing doctors, health insurance, screening and diagnostic tests, medication and online health information for yourself and your family.
Keep a health journal. Record your questions, medical history, test and physician visit dates and results, medications and doses, immunizations and allergies. Bring it with you to every health care provider appointment.
Marcie Tyson
Health Educator, West Windsor Health Department
Post Prom Thanks
Once again local businesses and professionals have generously supported High School North Post Prom fundraising effort — the fashion show on February 5.
Thank you to the parents and faculty who shared Indian and Chinese fashions. Thank you to McCaffrey’s, Perna’s, Wegmans, Wildflowers, Mia Chung and Plainsboro Flower and Gifts.
Thanks to DSW, Aljons Pizza (Princeton Junction), Salon Facci, Junction Barber Shop, Hair Plus, Doral Forrestal Spa, Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co., Romeo’s Pizza, Bernard’s Salon and Spa, Sew There!!, Dreamworks SKG, Shiseido, New Line Cinema, Crate & Barrel, A-1 Limousine, Tropical Tan, Anthony Vincent Salon, Al’s Sunoco, After Hours Formalwear, ShopRite, Starbucks, Hyatt Hotel, Forsgate Country Club, Whole Foods, PDQ Press, and Steak & Hoagie.
And finally a huge thank you to Primadonna’s Closet, CHAZMATAZZ, New Hope Apparel, Oh No So Ho, and the students at Mercer Technical School for your fabulous designs and accessories. Our models looked great!
Post Prom Committee
