Letters
Citizens Convention to address problematic issues urged

In recent months, there has been much conversation throughout the state with regards to a N.J. Citizens Convention. The proposal for this convention is so the citizens of New Jersey can balance fiscal policy, tax policy, and as most know, specifically to address and tackle the major property tax issue that each resident of New Jersey is facing each day.

So is there a need for this convention? All fingers have been pointing to the fact that the Legislature in N.J. has failed. Why has it failed? As a whole, our elected officials have not worked in unity to put party agendas off to the side and focus primarily on the state of New Jersey and its residents. We hear in campaigns about corruption, taxes, and pay-to-play, yet so often once these officials are elected, do they actually “Play to Care” about the citizens. Not that it would be fair to say every official is responsible, but the final equation does show that New Jersey is in serious trouble. No matter how you look at the numbers, or who is responsible, we are New Jersey citizens and our state is in serious trouble.

So is the convention a good idea? Yes, as it will empower the elected citizen representatives to hopefully address and provide a solution to these issues. Does there seem to be more support from citizens and elected officials each day? Yes, the more people who hear about this proposed convention, the more that seem to jump on board and embrace it. All of this sounding good so far? Well as with most things in N.J., this convention has only been proposed as a one-sided event. The convention will not empower the citizens to review and make determinations on the spending side of the budgets. This convention will not empower its citizens to take control of the overwhelming budget disaster that has been created over the past decade. The double standard is just another example of why things in the Garden State are in disarray. As a citizen of New Jersey, I find it insulting that some officials feel that the citizens can come to together and work on a solution at a convention for property taxes, yet they feel that we do not have the ability to bring balance to a budget that has had a lack of balance and vision to begin with. When you think about it in simple terms of what is being said, our citizens are smart enough to discuss property taxes that our officials have failed at, yet some officials feel that we are not smart enough to address the budget that our officials have failed all of us on year after year.

I am urging all citizens in New Jersey to contact their government elected officials at all levels and express the need for the Citizens Convention. When reaching out to your officials, also emphasize the importance of a balanced convention, that will empower and authorize the citizens to address all issues. Property taxes is a real issue that affects the state, yet our out-of-control spending is no better. In the end, if the convention takes place, and budget spending is not addressed, one thing will remain true – some type or form of taxes will be created or increased in the end that we will be paying for.

Fred Moltz

Aberdeen

American Heart Association lauds Legislature’s action

The American Heart Association applauds the action of the New Jersey General Assembly in their final passage of A1561/S2576, legislation requiring all New Jersey health clubs to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site, with one staff member for each shift properly trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of the defibrillator.

Health clubs are among the public places with the highest occurrence of sudden cardiac arrest, according to a 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Passage of the legislation will enhance the safety and wellness of patrons and members of health clubs throughout New Jersey. The American Heart Association gratefully acknowledges Sen. Joseph Vitale and Assemblymen Robert Smith and Herb Conaway for their sponsorship and diligence in the passage of this legislation.

Different than a heart attack, cardiac arrest kills at least 250,000 people each year. Few cardiac arrest victims survive after 10 minutes. Having a defibrillator in a health or fitness facility is integral to the proper safety of those pursuing a healthier lifestyle.

Those at greatest risk for sudden cardiac arrest are men over 45 and women over 55 years of age, as well as people who smoke, are overweight, or have diabetes. According to a study released at the November 2000 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, more than 50 percent of fitness clubs had a membership base of people over age 35. The fastest-growing health club membership segment was in the over-55 age group.

Passage of A1561/S2576 ensures that New Jersey health clubs will be better prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies and residents will have a more safe and secure environment to pursue better health and longevity. This regulation takes effect immediately.

Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicity from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association serves New Jersey’s 21 counties and a population of close to 8.6 million people.

Peter C. Cary

director of communications

American Heart Association

Heritage Affiliate

North Brunswick

Local councilman wants ports issue explained

I want to express my thanks and strong support for the stand of the Republican congressional leadership with regard to the takeover of our American ports by a United Arab Emirates corporation. I am a lifelong Republican and have supported President George W. Bush on all his decisions regarding the war on terrorism, including the decision to invade Iraq. However, I am at a total loss to understand his decision regarding the management of our American ports by a foreign-controlled corporation. Even more troubling is the way the president handled questioning of this decision. The American people deserve a full and satisfactory explanation and not the curt response and threat to veto any congressional action that seeks to block this action that was offered by the president.

Conceding every deference to the president and his administration, and considering that the president and his staff have access to information unknown to members of Congress and the public, his actions and comments are also a public relations nightmare for Republicans. I never thought I would see the day when Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Robert Menendez, Jon Corzine and others like them could possibly appear more concerned with our safety than our president.

As a city councilman and a retired naval officer, and having been reactivated on Sept. 11, 2001, and as the deputy commander for the New Jersey Naval Militia Joint Command (an official component of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs – National Guard), who worked with my counterparts in the U.S. Navy and drafted memorandums of understanding to provide augmentation of U.S. Navy security at Naval Weapons Station Earle and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, along with other related activities following Sept. 11, and, as a citizen who is today very much active in current naval and port security issues, I am deeply troubled by the administration’s support for this transfer of port management and control.

On its face, it appears to open the door to potential disaster. Experts who previously served the government in the CIA, Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies have been offering the same opinion on Fox news and other media outlets. Concerns and objections are widespread and bipartisan. Under such conditions I cannot and will not blindly place my trust in the administration’s actions. Nor should the American public.

Those of us who live and work in and around these port areas should be concerned and have a right to demand a satisfactory explanation. The Republican congressional leadership clearly represents the feeling of the vast majority of people who will be affected by this decision. They should be applauded.

This whole episode points out the troubling fact that America needs to return to full control to American corporations to run its ports, shipping and most, if not all, significant means of commerce. It is one thing to have a legitimate company operating under the laws of a longtime friend and trusted democracy and ally, like Great Britain, manage our ports (and even that long-standing relationship should be revisited), but it is quite another to trust a corporation controlled by a foreign government that, like Saudi Arabia, may on its face appear to be our ally, when in reality it has demonstrated tendencies that are contrary to America’s interests and safety.

Questioning the administration’s actions is consistent with true Republican principles; it is the administration which is out of line here and needs to explain to the American public, and not just dismiss our concerns out of hand. Sometimes perceptions are larger than life.

Jerry H Rovner

Councilman

Allentown