To The Editor: At the Dec. 17 Wildwood commissioners’ meeting (video.google.com, choose City of Wildwood, Dec. 17, 2008 video at 48:40) Commissioners William Davenport and Ernie Troiano snuck through another resolution, Resolution LL, which was not listed on the agenda for that meeting. They’ve decided, using taxpayer money, to revisit the previous lawsuit against Commissioner Gary DeMarzo, which was already decided in court, citing once more a conflict of interest, and personal reasons among other things. Davenport and Troiano passed Ordinance 751-08 that evening with legal fees going to the taxpayers. When DeMarzo asked Davenport for a clarification of personal reasons, Davenport stated, “Accusing me of criminal acts.” It certainly sounds criminal to me for a city official to use taxpayer money to sue the people’s only voice in City Hall for his own personal reasons and vendetta. I don’t see why the state shouldn’t be called in to visit all three commissioners to see who does and does not have a conflict of interest with their commissioner responsibilities. This wouldn’t cost the taxpayers a cent. Now they are going after the only commissioner who is an advocate for the people. If they are permitted to silence DeMarzo’s voice at the expense of the taxpayers for their own personal vendetta, it would be a miscarriage of justice and something I would hope all the taxpayers and citizens of Wildwood will not tolerate. In November 2008, I challenged Davenport and Troiano to present their facts in the media proving the serious allegations where they have gone so far as to publicly call letter writers liars, malcontents, and attack citizens and me for using OPRA to obtain records they are entitled to, costing taxpayers money, and have yet to see a response from either of them. It seems apparent that this latest attack on DeMarzo is just another attempt to silence the citizens and letter writers of the City of Wildwood along with their elected representative, Commissioner Gary DeMarzo. MICHAEL DELLAVELLA Wildwood

To The Editor: I read with interest the letter to the editor in the Dec. 3 issue from a West Wildwood resident. The topic was about West Wildwood Commissioner Scott Golden being accused of not paying his property taxes here. Mayor Herbert Frederick brought up the subject at the public November commissioners meeting at which I attended. That letter accused Mayor Herbert Frederick of “not doing his homework.” The writer emphatically clamed that Golden did, in fact, pay his property taxes here. I found this intriguing because I have known Mayor Frederick for years and I have total faith in what he says because he is known for always doing his “homework” so to speak. Purely out of curiosity I ventured to do my own “homework” on this matter. I contacted the West Wildwood Borough Tax Office Dec. 22 at approximately 1:40 p.m. A clerk there told me that all tax information was public. When I inquired into the status of Golden’s property taxes I was told at that time that he still owed $3,408.19 on his home on Glenwood Avenue and an additional $2,351.37 on the lot next to his house for a total of $5,759.56 still due to the Borough of West Wildwood for the 2008 tax year. I also inquired about his water and sewer bill, and was told that he owes $967.14 for water and sewer. Please don’t take my word for this. Anyone cal simply call West Wildwood Borough Hall at 609-522-4845 and give them a property owner’s name and address to get the tax information over the telephone as I did. Knowing that Golden still owes his 2008 property taxes to West Wildwood the question remains: when does he plan to pay up? I certainly hope he pays his taxes before Dec. 31 because if he does not, then I am told, the rest of us taxpayers will have to suffer by paying extra property taxes in 2009 to offset Golden’s unpaid share of taxes. I am a senior citizen with a fixed income, and I can’t afford to pay my property taxes and also pay Golden’s share of taxes too. I thought our elected officials were here to help us, not help themselves. What irks me most is that we pay Golden’s salary with our taxes and then we have to pay extra taxes because he is not paying his share. That is not what we need in an elected official in West Wildwood or anywhere else for that matter. Mayor Frederick had the right, and yes, the responsibility as mayor, to question Golden as to his delinquent taxes. I believe this to be so because Golden is an elected official and because he is responsible for the finance department for the borough. He should set an example and pay what is due, and stop trying to hide his financial obligation to the borough from the taxpayers of West Wildwood. Pay up now, please. MARIE GOLDBERG West Wildwood (ED. NOTE: The author alludes to the budget item “Reserve for Uncollected Taxes.” That sum is collected to pay for services the municipality is required to fund, for example school district, county and library taxes. It is based on the previous year’s percentage of taxes collected in the municipality. The higher the rate of taxes collected, the lower will be the percentage required in the budget.) .

To The Editor: We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who either donated his or her time or food to help us with our food drive this year. We had a really good one. Also thanks to all who donated money so we could buy food that was not donated to us. We were able to help 10 needy families this year. A special thanks to the Middle Township School District and especially to Elementary No. 2 who ran a food drive for us again, and to all the groups who helped with getting gifts for the families and toys for the kids. Any one who would like to help us next year, please call 465-3169 and we will put your name on our list. IVY AND KEN HARMON Court House

To The Editor: A resolution has been passed concerning another conflict of interest case against Commissioner Gary DeMarzo, which has already been decided in a court of law. The reason is to revisit the conflict of interest and personal reasons, etc. This was done in a muttered undertone and not brought out in a clear, audible manner at this meeting by Commissioner William Davenport. This subject of another lawsuit was also not on the Wildwood agenda or on the Web site as of an hour-and-a-half before this commissioners’ meeting. This Resolution LL, which was passed at this meeting by Davenport and Mayor Ernie Troiano has left many questions about the reasons for using taxpayer money. Isn’t Troiano, as a contractor, also conflicted making decisions on behalf of the Public Works Department with employees working in trades such as a carpenter, plumber, electrician and different forms of the construction trades when he votes on the upcoming salary negotiations — especially in the upcoming contract negotiations and decisions with his son who is the president of the fire union deciding on pay raises, benefits, etc. This goes hand and hand with the uniformed police union, in which they are revisiting this already court-decided case with DeMarzo. Davenport is a retired firefighter, volunteer firefighter, paid-for-hire professional fire inspector/independent contractor. Does he not gain in some part as a retiree? Isn’t Davenport also conflicted in both categories? KATHLEEN McCULLOUGH Wildwood

To The Editor: I just saw the cover of the Dec. 24 issue of the Herald, and I wanted to take a moment to thank you. I really enjoyed seeing "Merry Christmas" boldly proclaimed on the masthead along with the quote from Luke announcing the birth of Jesus. I know not all of your readers share my Christian faith and I can certainly respect that, but the fact is, this is a major holiday for Christians. Unfortunately though, the "politically correct" movement has made such "advances" that many media outlets and even corporate America cowers from any chance of offending a few individuals. Articles about the Muslim or Wiccan faiths are considered enlightening and in the interest of diversity, but don't dare talk about the fact that Christians are celebrating their faith this week (even if that is merely reporting a fact). If you do, you must be trying to force your own faith on people (grin). No matter what you print, and no matter what subject you are covering, there will always be somebody who is offended. Thanks for not letting those individuals dictate your publication's content, especially on this subject. As one of your readers who does celebrate Christmas, I appreciate you wishing me a Merry Christmas. Whether Christmas is a deeply meaningful spiritual holiday for you (and I can't help but hope that this is the case), or just another day on the calendar to you, I wish you and all of the Herald's staff a very merry Christmas! A Happy Hanukkah to any of our Jewish brothers and sisters who may work at the paper as well! May God bless you! MARK MALACAVAGE Trucksville, Pa.

To The Editor: In response to From the Publisher in the Dec. 24 issue, these strong words emerge in protest: inflammatory, intolerant and invidious. Jesus did not come to save Christians exclusively, none existed then. Jesus was a Jew…was He unfit for our "Christian" nation? Is Hall preaching Aryan society? Why is that so painful, so World War II familiar? As for gated communities with mean spirits and particular agendas, hmm. Lastly, please re-check page one of the Dec. 24 edition. There you will note part of the quotation from Luke 2: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people..." Peace, Shalom, Salaam. MARY READER Villas

We Are All One People Under God’ To The Editor: In response to the publisher’s column, “Keep the Muslims Out,” I must say that I am both shocked and appalled that people who call themselves Christians would try to reject a whole people because of their religion and beliefs are different from our own. First let me say that I am a Christian. However, I do not worship Jesus Christ as a god, rather I strive to be Christ-like, Guatem Buddha-like, and yes, even Muhammad-like. All were enlightened men; men who reached the potential of human intelligence which becomes wise through love. They understood that they were men, and that we were and are all one under God. But people claimed their rights to the words spoken by these great men and contributed them solely to their countries and their cultures. Now, when a country, including our own, goes to war to commit acts of senseless murder, it is done in the name of God. The people who do this and support this are not godlike neither are they god-fearing. They are ignorant of the world around them; they are fearful of the unknown. Sept. 11 was a tragedy and Osama Bin Laden is just one of the many ignorant “believers” in the circle of people claiming their love in God to push through their hateful ideologies and agendas. But, so are George Bush and the leaders of Israel and Iran. Their religions are aimed at controlling the masses, population division, and conquest. They forget as do we that we are all one people created under God. Muslims must be allowed in. We must come to understand and respect each other. We must come to understand that no matter what names we apply to God that it doesn’t matter because God is God. But as long as Christians and Muslims try to impress upon the other “their” gods’” superiority, the wars will not stop. The only way to win a fight is to not fight at all. If this were to happen, the terrorist organizations would lose their support. But, under the current guidelines that we follow, we inadvertently give them the fuel for their fire. This is why Barack Obama believes in direct communication. He knows that the wall of ignorant misunderstanding must be torn down. But this response is not meant to be a political pro-Obama speech. It is meant to say that if you believe in Jesus the Christ, and you love Him, then try to walk like Him. Rise above the division and claim your rights as a child of God; a people of God. America is not solely a Christian nation because America is a nation of immigrants. However, we can strive to understand our differences with each other, we can strive to truly be a united people in these “United” States of America, and we can strive to rise above the animalistic impulses we currently react on and allow humans to reach their full potential — enlightenment. MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN Wildwood

To The Editor: Talk about the nerve of some people’s children. I am referring to those creatures inside the D.C. Beltway better known as our Congress. Our ship of state is sinking fast, and they just tossed themselves a life preserver, a $4,000 raise. They will continue to live high off the proverbial hog while “we the people” are tossed their leftovers. So what else is new? Congress, through their general inept, incompetent bungling, has allowed our country to fall into an abyss of disrepair. I have a suggestion that may wake those “public servants” up. George (let’s go destroy a country in the name of democracy), Bush claims to pull all of our troops out Iraq by 2011. I know how to get them out of there like yesterday. Send all of our members of Congress, men and women alike, to Iraq. Place them in harm’s way, in the forefront of battle. Let them lose arms and legs. Let them come home in body bags. Let them fight their own battles. They started this war of fictional “weapons of mass destruction.” Let them finish it. I am Jim Carroll III and I approve this message. JIM CARROLL III Green Creek

To The Editor: I think Wildwood officials should look into developing the back bay area into a windmill farm. The city already owns the land. They could subdivide it into parcels large enough to build windmills then condo them out. They could charge 10 percent of the electric that is generated in lieu of condo fees for operating expenses. The electricity could be used by the city. Yes, it would produce less ratables than housing, but would not impact our city police, fire and public works departments or our school system, nor impact our affordable housing requirements. There could be federal and state money for projects like this. Permits from the state should not be a problem. The city could probably start this coming year instead of waiting years to build housing. Towns in California even include the windmill farms as a tourist attraction and give tours of the sites. The officials are looking for ideas to help save or make money. It’s just an idea. We have the land and the wind. I hope they at least research it. AL BRANNEN Wildwood

To The Editor: I have been reading the Herald for many years but recently have been reading it on line. It amazes me how many negative comments are said in the “comments section” about Villas. Most of those comments seem to come from those who do not live in Villas. I want to give those readers a perspective from someone on the inside…me. We decided six years ago to buy a home at the shore. We wanted a place to go that would help create many fond memories for our family and future generations. We discovered a small community that was a stones throw away from the Wildwood and Cape May beaches called Villas. Many people believe that the residents of Villas are from the Kensington section of Philadelphia. I am proof that this is not true. I am not a resident of Philadelphia, nor are some of the people I know that live in Villas. That being said, my neighbors are from Kensington and what great people they are. It has truly been our pleasure getting to know them. It is the involvement of the residents that truly determines the greatness of a neighborhood. This rings true in our neighborhood. Most of the time it is just a friendly wave. We know, however, that if needed we could count on them and they on us. Since we are part time residents, residing in Villas from March through November, our neighbors watch our home when we are not there. At times they’ve even been known to question people or situations that seem a bit “odd.” We appreciate their involvement. We know that if anything seems suspect we will receive a call from them. The people I know from Villas are kind, generous and caring who take pride in themselves, their families and their homes. From what I’ve read, it seems people associate Villas with crime and drugs. Does crime exist in Villas? Yes it does. The question then becomes is there more crime in Villas than in the other seaside communities? I don’t think the answer is as clear as many would believe. Haven’t we all heard the expression “Money talks?” Villas is primarily a “working class” community. I would venture to say that there isn’t much “money talking” in Villas. However our more affluent seaside neighbors have more opportunity for their money to be “Chatty Cathies.” I’m suggesting that we hear about crime in Villas more often because it is actually reported. In other areas, it wouldn’t be good “business” for people to think there is crime or drugs, so most go unreported. The reality is that crime and drugs exist in all neighborhoods. At one time or another we’ve all been stereotyped for one reason or another. When it happened, was it true and how did it make you feel? Instead of stereotyping people based on our perception of the neighborhood in which they live, we need to make a conscious effort to look at people as individuals. It is only then that we can appreciate the uniqueness of an individual and how those individuals build a neighborhood. I write this article on life in Villas to offer an insight from someone who lives there. I want to stand up, be counted and say “I live in the Villas and am proud of it!” MELODY DELLAVECCHIA Villas