Remarks condemning the mayor are off base

In the Aug. 24 Examiner, it was reported that Dan Wolden made a statement at the Aug. 16 Upper Freehold Board of Education meeting concerning Stuart Fierstein. Mr. Wolden stated that Mayor Fierstein contacted his wife while she was a member of the Board to try to gain support for relocating the new school. He called this a "backdoor attempt to derail" the proposed middle school.

Remarks condemning Mayor Fierstein for communicating with elected board members are off base. Any elected public official, such as the mayor, has a duty to discuss his or her views. Likewise, any elected or appointed board member should listen to all views concerning board actions.

Having served on elected and appointed boards for many years I have always made myself available to hear all views on topics before me. Like it or not it is a necessity, as well as an obligation, for all officials to listen to the views of others. Only by hearing all views and evaluating the arguments, can one hope to arrive at a fair and intelligent decision.

This is not a direct personal criticism of any board or committee member, but an attempt at communication.

Hopefully, the many questions that concern Upper Freehold and Allentown will be decided with mutual respect and concern.

Mary T. Clark

Allentown