Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/15/06

Voter input not sought

Congratulations on a most important editorial, "Turf tariff too steep" (Sept. 6), about an upcoming school referendum question in Manasquan.

I am a resident in the Aberdeen-Matawan regional school district. Unfortunately in our last budget, our school superintendent chose a method of getting his artificial turf project approved by not making it a part of the budget to be voted upon by the public. He chose to use a "lease purchase program" that would enable him to have his Giants Stadium field without the approval of the voters. When I questioned him on the subject, I reminded him that he took a method that bypassed the public's opinion, in effect taking our right to vote on something for which we were paying.

I am most happy that your editorial at least brings important facts to the attention of the Manasquan public regardless of the vote, for or against.

Bill Dunphy

ABERDEEN