Letters to the Editor
It's Your Turn
The Wrong Message
To The Editor:
While I can understand the frustration that the mayor and council of Red Bank Borough feel given the budget restraints they, and all other government officials throughout the state, are facing during this budget crisis, I take issue with being accused of refusing to advocate for our constituents in Red Bank. I and my colleagues, Senator Jennifer Beck and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, make it our top priority to advocate for the municipalities, school districts and individuals whom we represent. We work tirelessly in that pursuit. The three of us could not be more in the forefront of the efforts to solve our present financial crisis, while also fighting for the interests of our beleaguered taxpayers. We understand the impact of non-profit/tax exempt properties both on municipal services and budgets. We too believe that we must take the concentration of such entities into account when considering State budget solutions. Additionally we are aware of the positive steps the mayor and governing body of Red Bank have taken to date to balance their budget - and we applaud those efforts. But at the same time, we have to be straight with each other and our constituents. The fiscal crisis we now collectively face mandates drastic action - and provides us with an opportunity to fix the grossly irresponsible fiscal policies that have led us to this point.
Our last letter was meant as a reminder that all levels of government must be fiscally responsible in order to face down this current economic crisis. Mr. DuPont's mischaracterization and criticism of our call for all elected officials to act prudently with our collective finances - our constituents' hard-earned money - lacks the understanding that this is a difficult year to justify raises in the public sector when the private sector is continuing to lay off workers and freeze wages. Is that unfortunate? Absolutely. We understand that Red Bank municipal employees are hard-working individuals and it would be wonderful if they could all get raises. But that simply isn't prudent - and sends the wrong message to our constituents - when the people paying the bills are making less, or losing their jobs all together. As a member of the budget committee, I can say without reservation that there is not a single municipality or school district that will be untouched by the necessary, but difficult, budgetary decisions. Whether those decisions are made at the state, county or local levels, they have to be made. I believe that the public is not only ready to hear that, but they have been longing for some elected officials willing to tell them the truth, do what needs to be done and solve the problems that have been building over years of irresponsible spending of their money. I would like to reiterate the need for cooperation and shared sacrifice at all levels. It's not easy, but we cannot keep going about business as usual if we ever want to regain the public's trust and confidence, and fix New Jersey's budget crisis once and for all.
It's time for public officials at all levels and on both sides of the political aisle to come to grips with the serious issues we face, and to come together to solve them. We stand ready to do just that and look forward to working with the Red Bank governing body.
Assemblyman Declan J. O'Scanlon, Jr.
District 12
Cut FH
Rec Job To Part Time
To The Editor:
Recently, the Fair Haven Town Council decided that the duties of the administrator could be performed on a two-day-a-week, part-time basis with a $50,000 savings for Fair Haven residents. Congratulations, gentlemen. Thank you for making this propitious move. But with the Northeast experiencing the depths of winter I wonder what Fair Haven's full time recreation director is doing on behalf of our residents? And why can't this position be done on a part time basis, like the supposedly more important, borough administrator's position? I recognize that the winter season can be used for planning the upcoming warmer weather events and activities. But how much time is actually required for planning and related activities? And can the services, talents, and most important, his salary and benefits expenses be shared with another municipality, similarly to what was proposed and done for the Fair Haven police dispatcher position? Any similar savings which may result from these suggested changes to the recreation director's position being made part time/ shared, would be deeply appreciated by borough residents, especially during these hard economic times.
Peter O'Such Jr.
Fair Haven
What's
Good For
The Goose?
To The Editor:
The other day I went to the Rumson Post Office to mail a package. As I came over the Oceanic Bridge, I saw a giant sign that read Impeach Obama, Pelosi, and Reid!
At first, I was taken aback. Then a small smile spread across my lips. Democracy at its best.
Outside the PO, there was a table set up with signs, reading paraphernalia, and such. Two people stood by the table asking those entering the post office to come over and sign a petition. Obviously, it was a petition to impeach the aforementioned Big Three.
I did not go over to the table.
The thing that got me, however, was that upon entering the post office, there was a woman in there, asking to speak to the person in charge. A young gentleman appeared from the back room, and she proceeded to ask him why "those" people outside were permitted to set up such a display on government property.
The postal employee explained that he had no legal right to ask them to leave, as long as they weren't asking for money.
He further explained that he'd been down this road before when the same thing was done in the past, calling for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.
She kept complaining, saying that you can't even put up a sign in Rumson, if you're having a garage sale. How could this be allowed?
So, here's what I say: For eight years, we put up with the oppositon saying and writing the most horrible things about the Bush administration, to a degree that was humiliating to the office of the presidency and the country as a whole. You tried degrading, debasing, debilitating, oh, yeah, and impeaching.
Your guy is only in office one year, and already you're crying uncle. You know what they say, "If you can't stand the heat... get out of the White House kitchen."
I say "What's good for the goose"... Happy four years!
Mickey Palmeri
Navesink
Health Reform: Come Together
To The Editor:
As a longstanding volunteer for AARP, I am troubled that progress on health care reform has stalled. With skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs, we must come together to provide meaningful relief to the millions of people who can't afford lifesaving prescription drugs or are denied affordable care by insurance companies because of their age or a medical condition.
I want to let Congress and the President know that while circumstances in Washington may have changed, AARP's™ commitment to older Americans and their families has not. AARP™ is still fighting to protect guaranteed Medicare benefits; lower drug costs by closing the "doughnut hole" in Medicare prescription coverage; stop insurance companies from denying anyone affordable coverage based on their age or pre-existing condition; and increase access to home and community-based services so older Americans can live in their homes longer and avoid costly institutions. We have come too far in the past year to let Washington gridlock stall everything we've accomplished. AARP is counting on Congress and the White House to come together and deliver a reform package this year that will ensure older Americans and their families get the care they need and deserve.
Betty Griffin
AARP State Office Volunteer
Somerset
Help For Haiti
To The Editor:
We would like to thank all of the residents who contributed to our Haiti relief efforts especially the few individuals that donated a significant portion of our Haiti donations who selflessly wish to remain anonymous. Through the enormous outreach and generosity of the community, our office was able to collect dozens of boxes filled with medical supplies and personal care items for the millions of people who have been affected by the massive earthquakes in Haiti.
The donations were sent to the First United Methodist Church of Asbury Park on behalf of the New Jersey and local communities in Monmouth County that are home to many Haitian immigrants who have surely been impacted by this natural disaster in some way.
We were pleased to have been able to make a contribution in some small way to those trying to rebuild their lives as a result of this heart wrenching disaster. We will continue to collect donations for those residents that can more conveniently drop off donations at our office located at 1955 Route 34, Building 2A, in Wall Township NJ 07719. We are accepting non-perishable foods and medical supplies on behalf of the First United Methodist Church of Asbury Park.
The items needed include diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, eye drops, baby wipes, powder, baby formula, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, combs, hand towels, over the counter first-aid items, and over the counter medicines (aspirin, etc.). No clothing or water is needed. However, monetary donations are also needed on behalf of the Asbury Park Mercy Center. All checks must be made out to Mercy Center Haitian Relief. The Mercy Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
For more information please call the 11th District Legislative Office at 732-974-0400. As always, please feel free to contact us if we can ever be of assistance with this or any other matter.
Sean T. Kean
Senator, 11th District
David P. Rible
Assemblyman, 11th District
Mary Pat Angelini
Assemblywoman, 11th District
Palin's Hand
To The Editor:
Michael Gooch says he is no big fan of Sarah Palin, then looks for excuses for her writing "Energy" on her hands as a reminder - this from a presidential candidate (oh, sorry, Sarah told Bill O'Reilly that she was running for vice-president) - and not being able to mention names of newspapers and magazines she reads to stay informed.
Well, maybe she got a little flustered. Happens to all vice-presidential candidates trying to demonstrate their political literacy. And possibly, she did know that Africa was a continent and could name the three NAFTA countries. I'm sure Michael is convinced she had those two points down.
Phil Silverman
Laguna Woods, California
