A Response to Ms. Deborah Fugaro, President, Presidents' Council of Woodridge Twp.

Dear Ms. Deborah Fugaro, President, Presidents' Council of Woodbridge Township:

Please be advised that, first and foremost, my commentary about the relevancy of the President’s Council of Woodbridge Township (PCWT) was in no way meant to be derogatory.  Your organization - as your Council’s VP, Ms. Phells, pointed out on another Internet forum - has and continues to provide a much needed service to the Woodbridge School District and the students in it.  To facilitate the reading of Ms. Phells’, for those readers interested in it, it is restated hereinafter:

“Mr. Maras, most who attend the Candidates Night find out through the WTSD Alert message system (School Messenger), local newspapers or social media. There are many residents who view Candidates Night on TV36 or the district website. I am shocked that you are criticizing the group who gives you the opportunity to voice your opinions, thoughts and ideas in a forum to let voters judge if you would be a good BOE candidate. We, the Presidents’ Council of Woodbridge Township, are here for the children. If you did read our blog, you would know that during the 2011-12 school year, we awarded 12- $250 scholarships. Because of our hard work, this past year we raised scholarship money for 5- $300 scholarships for each of the township’s 3 high schools~that’s 15 scholarships. Most of us on the Council work full-time and try to dedicate as much time as possible to Presidents’ Council. We are all parents with active students who divide our time between our children and the children of Woodbridge, as we are all active members of our respective PTO’s as well. We apologize for the delay in updating the site, but the beginning of the new school year is a busy time for all of us.We will see you on Monday, October 14th at 7:00 pm at Avenel Middle School.

Michelle PhellsPresidents’ Council Vice President,Colonia High School Vice President”

When I wrote about the relevancy of the Presidents’ Council, I was addressing the relevancy of the Council’s website, as it relates to this year’s BOE Candidates’ Night.  Perhaps, my phraseology was somewhat indelicate about the site being outdate.  Nevertheless, given the importance many place on that site for information about when and where such events will be held, it should have either been updated or the old information taken down.  If last minute technically difficulties, as your post indicates, prevented such actions, then the delay in updating the site is understandable, as well as unfortunate. 

The commentary you posted to my Blog about the important role the Presidents’ Council plays in bring the candidates before the public is certainly noteworthy. Having participated in two such forums and having attended a third, I certainly am aware of the PCWT’s efforts to showcase BOE candidates.

As you pointed out, my Blog did augment your efforts to bring the PCWT’s Candidates’ Night to the attention of the public.  In that regard, it is hoped that all those concerned about the future governance of the township’s school district, through the BOE, will either attend or watch the event.

In closing, I thank you and the other PCWT members for your respective volunteerism.  There is much to be said about ‘volunteering’ and the good it does for communities.  I also take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Mr. David Pinkowitz for his insightful commentary, which he posted on my Blog.