Published in the Asbury Park Press
By JEAN MIKLE and KIRK MOORE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
DOVER TOWNSHIP -- A local childhood cancer activist said she was disturbed yesterday by comments made by Mayor Ray Fox, who said at a candidates forum Wednesday that he did not know whether a childhood cancer cluster exists in Dover Township.
"It dismays me that Mayor Fox does not realize that we have a cancer cluster that has been confirmed by not only the state, but the federal government," said Linda Gillick, who chairs the Citizens Action Committee on Childhood Cancer Cluster and is also executive director of Ocean of Love, a support group for families of children with cancer.
"What hasn't been scientifically proven yet is the cause, for which all the government officials and citizens and companies involved are working to find the answer," Gillick said. "Maybe our officials need to attend more of the meetings and listen to what has been said here for 3 1/2 years."
In response to a question asked by a Toms River High School South senior at Wednesday's candidates forum, Fox said: "Whether or not there is a cancer cluster in Dover Township I don't know. It has not been scientifically proven."
Fox and his running mate, Committeeman Clarence E. "Bud" Aldrich III, who are seeking re-election, are being challenged by Democrats Herbert J. Germann and Douglas M. England.
Fox and Aldrich said Wednesday that the township has strongly backed the ongoing study of elevated childhood cancer levels here.
The study is being conducted by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the state Department of Health and Senior Services.
Germann and England have challenged the incumbents' claim and say the all-GOP committee has not done all it could to help address Dover's environmental problems, including possible contamination at the township's old landfill.
Aldrich and Committeeman George E. Wittmann Jr. attend all monthly meetings of the citizens action committee. Fox said he does not attend because he was ill in 1996 when the committee first began meeting, and Aldrich and Wittmann began to attend the meetings instead.
Source: Asbury Park Press
Published: October 29, 1999
|
