Letters to the Editor
- Jetty surf at Long Branch, January 8 - Photo by Scott Longfield
It's Your Turn
Civil Climate?
To The Editor:
On Monday, January 25th, I attended Congressman Rush Holt's town hall (meeting) in Marlboro. There were about a 120 people in the school cafeteria, and I would say no more than five were Holt supporters. I have to admit it must be depressing for a guy like Rush Holt to keep facing the electorate only to find out that a large majority of his constituents don't agree with him.
The "uniqueness" of Rush Holt's events so far has been that he doesn't like dialogue. At all his townhalls last year, he'd have people write questions on pieces of paper, put them in a box, he'd pick them "at random," and if he'd like them he'd read them and give a response. No matter if he wasn't even responding to the question, there was no kind of dialogue. And they chose this format for this meeting, too.
After a short introduction by Marlboro's Democratic Mayor Jon Hornik, Holt began his ultra-boring speech. He kept reading from his folder, and people got irritated, started shouting at him, asking questions, trying to get him to justify his positions, but Holt was totally unphased. No emotion, no reaction, just like a radio show you can ignore. At one point, someone shouted that it's like a "breathing robocall," to which even the mayor (who was very cool through the evening) couldn't help laughing.
And then, the Q&A started. Meaning, Hornik would pick a question, would "evaluate" it, pass it to Holt, he'd read it, and give a lecture. People were getting angrier and angrier because he was avoiding direct answers, would skirt around the truth and, again, would refuse to clarify his answers or stay on point. There was a lot of shouting back and forth. And then it was Rhoda Chodosh's (Manalapan) turn. She's Canadian-born, so her question was related to how the health care bill will bring us close to their unreliable system. Besides saying that "Canadian health care is not good", Holt avoided a clear answer. Rhoda got up, went to him, grabbed his microphone, and Holt wrestled it back from her. Holt whined that there's not a civil climate for discussion, and people yelled that he doesn't want a discussion. Mayhem erupted, Holt's goons came in, and finally Mayor Hornik found a compromise solution: The writer of every question would come forward, read his question, and be allowed to follow up. Which meant, turning this into a real town hall! Something Holt has never done before! Following this change, spirits calmed down, and it was a real dialogue with Holt.
So here are a few brief comments from the townhall:
One real gem from Rush Holt, answering a question on illegal immigration:
"How do you distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants?"
(He responded:) You can check for their ID's. Or ask them something in English, to break the ice.
Asked how to fix the bankrupt Social Security system, he said:
"Social Security... err... needs a... err... financial tune-up."
(Really? Just a tune-up?)
Someone asked how does he feel about Scott Brown's victory. Holt was confused, then smiled and said:
"I'm glad I live in New Jersey" Of course, people shouted "not for long" at him.
Then the mayor picked my question... Actually one of my five questions, because I filled up multiple forms, and it was the worst of them (last one I wrote). I was asking him if he'd vote for the health care bill in the version that passed the Senate. I was curious, because unless the House votes for the Senate bill without modifications, it would have to go back to the Senate where the Dems don't have enough votes to pass it. Holt said he wouldn't vote for it because it doesn't go far enough, and it needs to be amended.
Holt repeatedly said that he's not worried about the way the Administration's spending is increasing deficits. He even said:
"Sometimes, it's not bad to borrow."
But then, a constituent questioned his votes in 2001-2002 against tax breaks and tax incentives. Holt's response was that it would've increased the deficit. The Bush $3-400 billion deficit - bad. Obama two trillion deficit - good.
And finally, another memorable Rush Holt gem:
"America is such a great and rich country because of government spending!"
Might I comment that if that were true, then the Weimar Republic would've become the greatest nation on Earth, but instead it resulted in hyperinflation and the rise of Adolf Hitler.
The conclusion is that Rush Holt remains the same unapologetic ultra-leftist liberal. He might have a niche in his district, but recent elections are showing that people are getting tired with that (Chris Christie won the vote in the 12th Congressional district). And in the two Holt townhalls that I attended, I didn't really see who's supporting him.
Chris Fotache
Middletown
Christie's
The Real Deal
To The Editor:
If there was any doubt in anyone's mind that Governor Chris Christie is the real deal, his signing of several executive orders on his first day in office should remove any reservations. All of these bode especially well for Middletown Township. Most notable is an Executive Order On Unfunded Mandates which will require that any rulemaking imposing unfunded mandates upon local governments require the express approval of the Governor or Lt. Governor prior to being proposed and only after the conclusion of a cost-benefit analysis. This is good news for Middletown taxpayers since these mandates cause steep increases in property taxes, even if local municipalities freeze or cut their own spending.
Also, newly proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1, which calls for legislation abolishing COAH, would serve Middletown well. In place of COAH, this bill would establish a streamlined process to comply with New Jersey Supreme Court mandates that require every municipality maintain a fair share of low- and moderate-income housing. Under this bill, municipalities would be able to determine if they have already met the inclusionary housing standard and can adopt a simple ordinance to declare their compliance. This would allow Middletown to review its state-mandated quota and determine if, in fact, it has already met that quota with existing housing stock.
The bold actions taken by Governor Christie show a clear understanding of the many burdens that have been placed on municipalities and more specifically, the taxpayers in the past. In a broader sense, it is heartening to have an administration in Trenton that has a clear grasp of the challenges facing municipalities and is willing to enact policies that will finally allow us to address the staggering property taxes that have come to define the state of New Jersey.
Gerry Scharfenberger
Mayor
Middletown Township
The Y
Can Help
To The Editor:
Many of us fall into the category of "health seeker," a term used for any child, youth, adult or family whose successful pursuit of health and well-being requires continuously supportive relationships and environments.
Now that the holidays are behind us, most of us are resolving to get back in shape mentally, spiritually and physically. Fortunately, the staff at The Community YMCA is ready to help you reclaim a healthy lifestyle.
The Community YMCA, a charitable community service organization, is engaged in a nationwide movement called Activate America, the YMCA's response to the nation's growing health crisis. We are committed to developing opportunities for people in their pursuit of health and well-being in spirit, mind and body. At The Community YMCA, we are influencing and motivating health seekers of all ages to make positive changes in their lives.
Over the last few years, we have incorporated the goals and vision of Activate America into all aspects of our mission. We have transformed our facility and program areas to such an extent that physical activity, healthy eating, and improved interpersonal connections are the norm. We have improved our memberships for families and individuals with the 12 Weeks to a Healthier You wellness program, and active older adults with our Healthy Seniors Membership. The Y also hosts no-cost wellness activities such as the Friday Walk Club open to the community each week from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Please consider stopping by The Community Y in Red Bank to pick up a free "Try the Y" pass for you and your family. Our caring and well trained team remains ready to develop a plan for your family that will help you take a step toward making your good intentions a reality.
Timothy J. Hogan
Chief Volunteer Officer
The Community YMCA
Pay A
Little More, Wall Street
To The Editor:
The TRT™ Jan. 15, as it has for nearly a year, had pages of foreclosures, and people are losing their homes, jobs, and businesses.
Thankfully, we have Mr. Gooch to point out where our concerns should be directed: At a proposed tax on financial transactions and its effect on the incomes of many Two Rivers residents.
Recently, commentators have expressed the idea that many people in financial services (banks, Wall Street, etc.) "don't get it." Well, it's obvious that they have already gotten it and are determined to keep every cent. Just imagine, that with 10 percent unemployment and hundreds of thousands losing their homes, we should worry about an additional tax on those most able to afford it and regulations on an industry most responsible for the economic mess we find ourselves in.
Of course, it's the nasty old Democrats who are responsible for all the problems in our country, not George W. Bush and the Republicans who took the surplus handed them and with tax cuts and the wrong war turned it into huge deficits you are now so concerned with.
The banks are repairing their balance sheets and profitability thanks to being bailed out with taxpayer dollars, not because of the wisdom of the financial industry, which if left unregulated will continue the greedy, irresponsible behavior that has gifted us with the worst economic environment since the Great Depression.
The people who have lost their homes and jobs won't be able to contribute tax dollars. Maybe the Wall Street workers should pay a little more so tax dollars will be available the next time they need a bailout.
John White
Atlantic Highlands
Mr. Gooch Responds: My column did not discuss a tax on banker's bonuses /income. I referred to a broad tax on financial transactions. Individuals, Pension Funds, Retirement Accounts, and Businesses across the entire country including Main Street enter into financial transactions daily. This proposed transaction tax will hit everybody, not just "greedy bankers." No doubt some supposedly "greedy bankers" will establish lucrative businesses in finding the loopholes in the taxes. A broad tax is a broad tax and that is what a transaction tax is. How Mr. White thinks that a broad tax during a recession is going to help people get jobs and pay their mortgages baffles me.
What Could Be More Fitting?
To The Editor:
I write in dismayed reaction to the article in the current issue of The Two River Times™ which reported on the Inaugural Mass for Governor Christie. Dr Christopher Rinn was quoted saying "What is more fitting for the day's activities than having a Catholic Mass at the Basilica?"
I can think of a number of events that would have been more fitting: perhaps a gathering which was ecumenical and interfaith. It is unfortunate that a Roman Catholic Mass completely ignores and excludes the millions of Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others who are also constituents of the new Governor of New Jersey.
One can only hope that the Governor himself will be more sensitive to the beliefs and feelings of the entirety of his constituency.
The Rev. Dr. David G. Henritzy
Middletown
