Letters Stephens definitely still in the race for mayor Four years ago, when Bill Stephens and his running mates ran against George Spadoro and his chosen slate in the primary election, it was obvious to us that we could not compete financially with Spadoro and his unlimited resources. This year’s primary election, between Spadoro and Choi, reinforced that knowledge. Between them, hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent promoting their candidacies. Now, rumors abound that Bill Stephens is abandoning his run for mayor and throwing his support to Jun Choi. Nothing could be further from the truth! Bill has been approached by Choi and his supporters asking that he withdraw from the race. He has made it abundantly clear that he would never break a promise to those in the township who have steadfastly backed him. Bill has been asked repeatedly by residents municipal employees, Democrats, Republicans and independents if he would run for mayor and he has always said yes! This has not changed. Bill Stephens is running as the people’s choice candidate in the Nov. 8, election. Antonia Ricigliano Edison Reader: Democrats turned state into ‘cesspool’ The people of New Jersey pay the highest property taxes in the nation. The people of New Jersey pay the highest auto insurance rates in the nation. In the year 2004 alone, the people of New Jersey had a gay governor, a lame duck governor and an acting governor. And now the people of New Jersey are saying “enough is enough.” During the last four years, voters have elected two opportunistic, multimillionaire Democrat U.S. Senators who have shown no regard for the average citizen. One was a Wall Street banker who spent $63 million of his own money to purchase a seat in the U.S. Senate and now, even before he got his feet wet in Washington, D.C., he wants to become governor of New Jersey. Well, you can’t buy respect -— you must earn it! The other is a former U.S. senator who had to come out of retirement as a last minute fill-in to replace a fellow Democrat U.S. senator being forced out of office because of corruption charges. Again, this man of business spent his own money to repurchase a seat in the U.S. Senate. James F. Byrnes said it best: “Power intoxicates men. when a man is intoxicated by alcohol, he can recover, but when intoxicated by power, he seldom recovers.” The good people of New Jersey can no longer stand idly by and allow our state to be sold to the highest bidder. They want to end the pattern of corruption, double dealing and dishonor, which is making New Jersey the laughingstock of the nation. Multimillionaire, Democrat political bosses are turning our state government into a cesspool. Lawyers and politicians are bankrupting the state pension system. And greed, nepotism and fiscal incompetence by elected officials is making New Jersey ungovernable. It’s time to change the way Trenton does business. The Democratic Party has sank to new lows. And the thought of rewarding a neophyte politician from the party which has brought shame, disfavor and disgrace is just not acceptable. The good people of our state need new blood in Trenton. They need Doug Forrester as the next governor of the state of New Jersey. Michael Meehan Edison Blood center director makes plea for donations Our state’s need for all blood types is becoming critical. While the New Jersey media often have stories about the need to donate blood, sadly too few of our region’s residents are blood donors. While the vast majority of New Jersey residents are generally in good health and eligible to donate blood, only a precious few choose to donate. As a result, each year New Jersey blood services must “import” thousands of units of blood from neighboring states to meet our hospitals’ and patients’ needs. If a member of New Jersey family needs a blood transfusion, the family just expects the blood to be available. Yet that expectation can only be met if our region has an ample and stable blood supply. For our state to have all blood types available, more New Jersey family members need to become regular blood donors. Presently, there are no substitutes for human blood. Blood products hospitals continually need include red blood cells, platelets and plasma. These products generally have short shelf life and inventories constantly need to be replenished. A healthy blood donor between the ages of 17 and 75 can donate every 56 days or about five to six times a years. Educating the general public about the need to donate blood is a never-ending task. For more information about donating blood, scheduling oneself to donate blood, or arranging for a group blood drive, go to www.nybloodcenter.org or call 1-800-933-2566. Please donate blood today — a family member just may need it tomorrow. Maggie O’Shea executive director New Jersey Blood Services New Brunswick Local educators thanked for many years of service We in Edison are losing through retirement many wonderful, talented and caring educators. This is a fact of life. These educators have done a noble job in touching children’s lives and creating good, contributing citizens. It is time for them to “smell the roses.” It is fitting, however, that we say a sincere thank you to: Principal Ross Capaccio at Thomas Jefferson Middle School; Shirley Ikeda, assistant superintendent, special services; Principal Kathy Peterson, James Madison Primary; and Principal Fred Riccio at John P. Stevens High School Each has given and done so much and we shall be eternally grateful. God speed and may the road always rise to meet you. Gloria S. Dittman president & CEO Edison Chamber of Commerce Resident congratulates child-care center on accreditation Child care. There is no more daunting issue for working parents. What child-care center should I choose? Will my child be happy and safe there? How will I pay for it? The choices are endless, and there are at least seven day-care centers alone within 1 mile of downtown Metuchen. When it comes to child care, newer does not necessarily mean better. One of the best child-care centers in the area is the 15-year-old Ken Shirk Child Care Center, located on a 4-acre campus in Edison. Three of my five children currently attend the center, and my two older kids also went there. Ken Shirk is a nonprofit branch of the Metuchen-Edison YMCA. Recently, the center received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the largest and most widely recognized accreditation system for early-childhood schools and child-care centers in the country. In order to qualify for accreditation, Ken Shirk had to undergo a rigorous review by an NAEYC team of evaluators. Ken Shirk maintains consistently low student-teacher ratios and low tuition. The center offers weekly swim lessons and gym class at the Metuchen-Edison YMCA; a thriving summer camp; and most importantly, a dedicated staff devoted to the children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. Congratulations to Ken Shirk on its recent accreditation. It is a noteworthy achievement that sets Ken Shirk apart as a recognized, high-quality day-care center. Thanks for offering an excellent child-care opportunity in our community. J.P. Morrison Metuchen