Comment of the Week: Young Scribe Claire Ernst!

Okay, so we’re back to not-quite-start-of-the-week posts. If only all this news wouldn't keep getting in the way!

Comment of the Week

student Claire Ernst, 10, recently had her story in a collection about adventures in New Jersey. She hopped online to thank everyone for their support, and she'll soon have a Patch tote bag headed her way so we can thank her for what she's done!

Hi it's me Claire and thank you for the comments. I was so shocked that I won the contest and I can' wait to celebrate. Also , the author of the Nicky Fifth series is coming to Barns and Nobel to sign books on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. You can come if you want. Thank you so much for supporting me and encouraging me to do my best work possible. I got to get ready for school now but remember, NEVER say never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Runners up:

We had a lot of great conversations this week, so let’s take a look at some of them!

Claire wasn’t the only one who was thrilled with her publication. Here’s what some other folks had to say:

Go Claire!!! We are all so proud of you (like your mom said-- for many, many reasons!) You are talented and wonderful in so many ways...keep on doing your thing and taking the world by storm!

I am so excited; I absolutely love the premise of your story: it is one that if practiced by everyone could bring peace into our schools, our communities and our world. I often compare us to the cogs and wheels in a well-functioning watch or clock: we are alike in many ways but it is our differences, working together cooperatively that are productive; or like an orchestra in which the instruments are alike in producing music, but it is the differences, working together that create beautiful harmony.

I certainly want a copy of your book. Can it be ordered? Maybe online? I want to read it myself, but also want to share it with other young people.

Congratulations on being published and even more, for your wonderful character and thinking, to your parents for raising you in such positive atmosphere, and to the person who has the foresight to encourage and publish the work of talented young people

Congratulations, Claire! We are so happy to hear about your love of writing and your first published story. I wish I could have gone to the author visit at Barnes and Noble on June 8.

With the summer reading program registration starting on June 27, we can't wait to get copies of the book in the library branches! Nine copies have been ordered by the Mercer County Library System. We encourage patrons to put a hold on Nicky Fifth at the Jersey Shore by Lisa Funari Willever. Please stop by or call any of the nine branches or access the library catalog at www.mcl.org.

All my best wishes, Claire. Your wonderful news has made my week!

Linda Cholewiak 
Branch Manager 
Hightstown Memorial Branch 
Mercer County Library System

On our article about the , Borough Council Democratic candidate Rob Thibault was one of several commenters who helped one of our readers understand her tax bill. (The municipal budget only makes up a portion of your tax bill, not the whole thing.) Rob, who frequently talks in detail about the intricacies of the borough’s budget at municipal meetings, shared some of that knowledge with us:

Christina:

The 2010 tax rates were: 
County: .572 
School: 1.707 
Borough: .876 
Total Rate: 3.155

The total increase over 2009 was just over 7%. The big part of that overall increase came from the Borough which raised the rate from .736 -- a 19% increase!

You've unfortunately missed the April 1 deadline for filing an assessment appeal for the 2011 tax year.

He and his fellow commenters didn’t go unrecognized:

You guys are the best! Thanks so much for your help and great advise! 
I am going to follow up first with town assessor as he said they would go down and of course they won't go down much, then I will follow up on appeal with the county. 
Enjoy the week-end and keep the posts coming...knowledge is power :)

Commenters were unanimously upset about the news that Da’s Thai Cuisine is :

That's why the place was closed the last two Fridays when I tried to have lunch there. Very bummed. :( Hopewell is way too far away.

What a huge loss for Hightstown. Da is a very special person and her food is spectacular. We'll miss you (and the food) terribly, Da. Best of luck in your Hopewell location.

Nooooo! Not Da's! Wow, what shame for Hightstown. Da's will be missed!