Letters

Jackson children should follow instructions of crossing guards

With the new school year having started on Sept. 6, we would like to remind parents and students that there will be school crossing guards posted near the following elementary schools: Lucy N. Holman Elementary School will have guards on South Cooks Bridge Road and Castle Avenue, South Cooks Bridge Road and Georgian Boulevard, and on the Holman School Fire Road connecting Sixty Acres and the Flair development to the Holman School.

The Howard C. Johnson-Crawford-Rodriquez Elementary School will have guards located on Larsen Road and Birch Drive, the Larsen Road Path, North New Prospect Street, and the entrance into Camp Joy, and on the road in Camp Joy.

The Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School will have guards on South New Prospect Street and Citadel Drive, South New Prospect Street and Bryant Drive, and Citadel Drive and New Hampshire Street.

We ask that you pay close attention to the school crossing guards’ instructions while crossing the street. We also ask that adults with children follow the crossing guards’ instructions. This will teach the children the proper way to cross the street should there come a time that you will not be with them.

The following are some basic rules that need to be followed while crossing the street. We ask that you go over them with your children:

• Do not leave the curb or enter the street until the crossing guard tells you it is safe to do so.

• Always stay inside the lines of the crosswalk.

• No horseplay, pushing or running while crossing the street.

• Do not cross at any point of the street other than those designated with a crosswalk.

Remember, we are here for the safety of your children. Should anyone bother your child or attempt to get them into their car, your child should know that they can come to the crossing guard and we will contact the authorities immediately. We care about your children and their safety. Together we can make their walk to school a safe and healthy one. Thank you and have a great year.

Saundra Suiter

school crossing guard

supervisor

Jackson

Let residents consider all possible forms of government

At Howell’s last Township Council meeting, the council introduced an ordinance that would put a question on the ballot to form a charter study commission. If passed by the voters, this commission would consist of five residents elected by the voting public.

Their objective would be to study all alternatives to the current form of government. Public hearings would be held to educate the residents on the 12 forms of government available. All Howell residents would have the opportunity to express their opinion. Pros and cons to each form would be discussed.

At the meeting John Lebrio, founder and president of Real Accountability for Taxpayers (RAFT), stated that he and the RAFT organization would support the charter study commission proposal.

Two days later in a newspaper article, another spokesperson from RAFT stated that they are going ahead with their petition to put their proposal for a new form of government on the ballot.

Mr. Lebrio also supported this statement. I feel this contradicts his statement that RAFT will support the council’s proposal for a charter study commission.

Frankly, I’m confused. If RAFT is truly interested in doing what is best for the township, why are they continuing their efforts to put forth a proposal for a new form of government, which eight to 10 residents decided is best for the township?

Has John changed his mind? Was John speaking for the RAFT organization when he said they would support the charter study commission?

Why is RAFT continuing to circulate a petition to get signatures of residents to support their choice of government without giving the residents the opportunity to understand the implications of what they are being asked to sign? It only serves to strengthen my opinion that some members of RAFT have a hidden agenda.

Making a change to the current form of government is a huge step for the township to take. I feel the best approach is to take our time, consider all the alternatives, give all residents the opportunity to voice their opinion before deciding if a change is needed and then which form best fits our township. If it needs to be done, let’s take the time to do it right.

I don’t see any reason to rush a decision. Our current mayor and council will continue to keep the township running in the right direction. Any new form of government will not have an impact on our most pressing problem, which I feel is taxes. The only thing that will have a serious effect on our taxes is for the state to reform the way schools are funded.

RAFT seems to think eight to 10 residents know what is best for us. I disagree; I feel every resident has a right to be involved in this decision. I also disagree that the ward system of government, which is primarily designed to serve a large city, is the best form of government for our rural community. It just doesn’t fit. Just my opinion.

Jim Burgess

Howell