NPS extension for Hook developer unwarranted

It was reported in The Hub of July 8 that the National Park Service (NPS) had, once again, “gifted” Sandy Hook Partners (SHP) with yet another, unwarranted extension to obtain funding for the NPS project to renovate, and then lease for 60 years, 36 buildings at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook.

The NPS said that the one year extension was granted because a law suit filed to stop this project had made it difficult for SHP to secure financing. Less anyone forget, the original deadline imposed by the NPS for all competing offerors to have locked up the funding needed to perform all the work called for in their respective offers was Nov. 8, 1999, over five years and eight months ago! The lawsuit against the project was not filed until December 2004. This is more that five years after all competing offerors for the Fort Hancock project, including SHP, were to have obtained guarantees of their financial capacity and so demonstrated it (to the satisfaction of the NPS) in their Nov. 8 1999, offers.

For the NPS to attempt to use the law suit as an excuse for this latest of seven extensions for SHP to obtain funding, is utterly shameful and further tarnishes their besmirched reputation.

If anyone doubts that offerors were required to demonstrate in their proposals to the NPS that they possessed financial capacity guarantees to accomplish the work, and that this requirement was a mandatory requirement that had to be satisfied to compete for the award, just ask Friends of Clearwater.

For 15 years this environmental organization’s headquarters had been located in Building 11 on Officer’s Row at Fort Hancock. During their tenancy, Friends of Clearwater had, at their own expense, made extensive repairs and upgrades to the building.

Please note that they are no longer located at Fort Hancock or any other part of Sandy Hook. They were asked to leave when their offer for just the one building (Builing 11) was found to be unacceptable by the NPS because their funding was deemed inadequate, resulting in their elimination from the project.

Given that SHP lacked funding guarantees during the evaluation of offers period, why was SHP not eliminated from the competition as were the Friends of Clearwater? Why were they subsequently given a letter of intent, and more time to get the needed funding?

Why were they given the July 9, 2004, lease award and further time extensions to obtain their yet absent funding?

It should be noted that the NPS in the lease award document gave itself sole discretion to grant to SHP further extensions if the NPS so deemed it appropriate.

How fortunate, because the funding still has not been obtained, a full 68 months from when it was originally required.

The truth be known, each extension given to SHP is in fact, an admission by the NPS that selecting SHP was an improper decision, contrary to NPS procurement regulations, resulting in an erroneous award. This travesty of NPS arrogance and ignorance perpetrated upon the U.S. public has gone on too long. It is absolute lunacy! Why should Sandy Hook, the unspoiled “Crown Jewel of the Jersey Shore” be wrested from the control of its rightful owners, the U.S. taxpayers, and be given over to a for-profit commercial developer?

It is not too late! Write, phone, e-mail your elected local, state, and especially your federal officials, and tell them to keep Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, unspoiled as recreational park land under the control of its rightful owners, the U.S. public. Stop this madness!

Peter P. O’Such Jr.

Fair Haven

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, 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

New Jersey Blood Services

executive director

New Brunswick

Mom remembers lessons learned from a special child

On July 29, my son Michael would have turned 5 years old. My husband, Adam, and I would be preparing for kindergarten, saving our pennies for college, and dreaming about our future astronaut, Army general or president-in-waiting. But Michael was born with a chromosome disorder called trisomy 13, and he lost his fight for life only four short days later.

Now, instead of his birthday, we are celebrating the fifth anniversary of Michael’s Feat, the charity named in his memory and dedicated to helping local families of seriously ill newborns. I approach this anniversary filled with sadness in his absence, and pride in his legacy. But what have I learned from these past five years?

I’ve learned to be grateful. I am grateful for a supportive family and parents who held me up when I no longer could. I am grateful for the three healthy children who followed Michael and who continue to reflect his beauty and courage in their smiles.

I am grateful for the best set of friends that any person was ever worthy enough to have. The board of directors of Michael’s Feat continues with undiminished enthusiasm, the passion of a parent, and the heart of a heavyweight champion. I am grateful for the businessmen and businesswomen who gave of their money and time to help realize the dream of a shattered family.

I’ve learned to be grateful for the stranger who reads about this small cause, drops an e-mail of encouragement, and keeps my spirits up when the children are crying and the bills are mounting.

I’m grateful for the public officials who recognize the cause in proclamations and by their presence. I’m grateful for local journalists who report on our successes and spend many hours with us helping to retell Michael’s story and the reason behind this cause.

But most of all, I am grateful for Michael. In four short days, he taught a lifetime’s worth. Never give in — not for anything, great or small, large or petty. Life is worth fighting for. Hope is not defined by how long you are here, but rather, by what you leave behind.

On July 30 from 1-5 p.m., at the picnic grounds behind St. Clement’s Church in Matawan, Michael’s Feat will host the fifth anniversary family barbecue.

Dana and Adam Puharic

Michael’s Feat

www.michaelsfeat.org

‘Green’ appliances are perfect for any décor

We’ve come a long way with appliance colors. Some central air units are available in eight different colors and finishes to match your home!

So when it comes to household appliances, “It’s time to bring back green.” OK, maybe not the avocado green of the 1970s, but “green” appliances that save energy, reduce pollution and put money back into your wallet.

According to the Energy Star program of the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family spends $1,500 each year on energy bills; and 45 percent of this goes to heating and cooling.

So if you have old (10 years or more) or broken-down central air equipment, consider new equipment that meets the Energy Star efficiency standards.

You’ll use at least 20 percent less energy.

Given the rising cost of oil, gas and electricity, a 20 percent savings is a real money saver. A programmable thermostat can save even more – up to $100 per year – by controlling heating and cooling systems when you aren’t even home.

Your savings can pay for the cost of the thermostat within a year.

In addition to buying Energy Star appliances, here are some simple things you can do to save energy and put a few dollars back into your pocket.

Keep your appliances well-maintained; in general, you’ll make up for the added costs by having longer-lasting appliances that use less energy.

Learn more about saving energy and money through energy-efficient appliances and practices at www.energystar.gov and from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy at aceee.org/consumer/consumer.htm.

Michele S. Byers

executive director

New Jersey Conservation Foundation

Far Hills