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Vol. LXIV, No. 41
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 41
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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Samuel Hynes, Mary Bundy, Thomas George, Lydia Katzenbach, Nicholas Katzenbach, Gail Ullman, Jill Guthrie, John Guthrie, Lynne Fagles, Jane MacLennan, Bob MacLennan, Mary Wisnovsky, Joe Wisnovsky, Susan Hockaday, Mary Cross, Pam Mount, Gary Mount, Edmund Keeley, Mary Keeley, Connie Ban, Elaine Pagels
Roland Foster Miller
Hawthorne Avenue
Chrystal Schivell
Monroe Lane
Michael Sheehan
Lovers Lane
Stephanie Harris
Hopewell-Wertsville Road
Hopewell
David Gray
Heather Lane
Douglas Miles
Poe Road
K. O’Connor
Lovers Lane
To the Editor:
Twelve years ago some of us here in the 12th district wrote to local papers supporting Rush Holt in his campaign for Congress. He had much to recommend him as a scientist, educator, environmentalist, and administrator.
In the six terms he has served since then, Rush Holt has demonstrated his abilities and his moral values. As a scientist, he has brought his special knowledge to the House Intelligence Committee, supporting increased security measures to protect our public transportation system, and opposing unregulated wire-tapping. He has been persistent in his efforts to make voting machines trustworthy by requiring paper records of votes cast, and he has championed public support for scientific research and facilities.
As an educator, he has served on the House Education Committee, working to protect student tuition-assistance, to increase access to higher education, and to encourage the teaching of mathematics and sciences in our schools, and he has supported the new GI bill for veterans.
On environmental issues, Rush Holt was an early opponent of offshore drilling. He has been an outspoken advocate for alternative energy sources, for the protection of our national parks, and for clean air and water.
On economic issues, he voted to extend unemployment benefits, to lower taxes for most American workers, and to end the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. He has been active in urging legislation to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits, and to increase the minimum wage.
Rush Holt’s record as our representative these last twelve years is exceptional: he is a dedicated, honorable, and an extraordinarily effective leader. Surely few constituencies in our country can boast of being served so selflessly and so well. The coming years in Congress are going to be difficult ones with many crucial issues to confront — in the economy, in environment, and international relations. We need Rush Holt’s experience and leadership now more than ever. We urge voters in the 12th district, whatever their past affiliations, to cast their votes for Rush Holt November 2nd.
Samuel Hynes, Mary Bundy, Thomas George, Lydia Katzenbach, Nicholas Katzenbach, Gail Ullman, Jill Guthrie, John Guthrie, Lynne Fagles, Jane MacLennan, Bob MacLennan, Mary Wisnovsky, Joe Wisnovsky, Susan Hockaday, Mary Cross, Pam Mount, Gary Mount, Edmund Keeley, Mary Keeley, Connie Ban, Elaine Pagels
To the Editor:
I would like to set the record straight regarding Roger Martindell’s attempt to link my candidacy to the Tea Party [Mailbox Sept. 29]. Let me make it clear. I am running as a Republican who wishes to represent all of the people of Princeton — members of my party, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters alike. To attempt to make such a representation disregards the facts when it comes to my affiliation. In the event that some in the Tea Party may support my candidacy, that’s fine too.
Further, Roger Martindell’s “list of activities” suggests that he is without blame in the reassessment fiasco. How can one with a straight face say that he “initiated the program of no municipal tax increase that is now in its second year”? Instead of holding the line on taxes, why didn’t he reduce the municipal tax? And many residents, hard-pressed to remain in town because of their reassessments, would disagree with him about his self-congratulatory stance on taxes, for what is a skewed doubling of property values but another kind of tax? Did Roger Martindell reject the contract with the appraisal company? No.
And, yes, he joined his Council colleagues in slowing the effort to reduce the $6.1 million price tag for the Community Park Pool but that was only after Council read the handwriting on the wall regarding voters’ anger with the reassessment.
In short, I am not to be linked to any particular advocacy group other than those that would protect the best interests of the taxpayers. In contrast, Roger Martindell can be linked fairly to those in local government who did too little too late.
Roland Foster Miller
Hawthorne Avenue
To the Editor:
When the League of Women Voters holds a registration drive, we are often asked, “Whatever happened to the Voters’ Guide, that useful, non-partisan information about candidates and ballot questions? It used to be mailed to us.” The answer is — It’s online: Google LWV Princeton to find analysis of ballot questions. Check centraljersey.com, to read the written answers to League questions from candidates in the two Princetons, Montgomery, and Plainsboro. Or go online now to the League website.
The League is collaborating in order to get more information to you. Want to see the candidates face to face? Princeton Community TV, AllPrinceton, and The Packet have already televised live and streamed two League-moderated forums among candidates from Princeton Borough and Township. If you didn’t catch the live broadcasts, you can see the archives at AllPrinceton.com, PrincetonTV.org, centraljersey.com, and the League’s website.
The first Holt-Sipprelle debate, co-sponsored by the Princeton Area, Hopewell, and Lawrence Leagues and the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, will be streamed live October 14, at 11:45AM at www.rider.edu/rebovich.
The League takes this opportunity to thank McCaffrey’s, the Princeton Farmers’ Market, and the Princeton Public Library for hosting the registration drives at which the initial question was raised.
Chrystal Schivell
Monroe Lane
To the Editor:
Many letters have made the case to re-elect Rush Holt to Congress, including one recent piece that suggests he is “a perfect fit as congressman.” Congressman Holt’s voting record, a fact, is nearly in lock-step with the Democratic Party leadership. Is this the mark of independence and analytical proficiency?
— The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka Stimulus): authorized spending of $800+ billion, claiming the creation of significant jobs and economic activity. Unemployment is still very high at 9.6 percent and economic growth remains tepid, at best. Where’s the ROI?
— Healthcare reform: did he or anyone who voted yes understand the scope of its content and consequences? Speaker Pelosi advised “we have to pass the bill to learn what’s in it.” We now learn every day some new dimension of this legislation that increases costs, lowers access to care and reduces choice. How many more costly and regulatory consequences are yet to be disclosed?
— Financial reform: fails to address the significant role in the financial crisis played by the Fed, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and their Congressional Democrat allies who fueled it. FinReg creates a new Financial Consumer Protection Agency, not accountable to Congress for oversight or funding, and whose leadership has circumvented constitutionally required Senate advice and consent. Protecting “favored agencies” and unchecked government power is not the reform we need.
— Taxing overseas American corporate profits immediately vs. when repatriated to keep American jobs in the USA belies economic reasoning. Capital finds investment environments where it can generate the best after-tax return. This action will drive more U.S. jobs, businesses and capital overseas.
— Small business: the incentives — short term tax relief — for hiring unemployed workers and a new small business banking bill to stimulate banks to lend to companies are misguided. It is demand that drives business hiring and the need for capital, not one-off tax relief or government forced credit availability.
Supporting and selling this clearly ineffective agenda as solutions to the very difficult problems the nation faces without disclosing the total consequences is not the “perfect fit” for congressional representation. I prefer someone who does not desire to be a career politician, but seeks to implement solutions — i.e. who understands what it takes to create economic incentives to grow the economy and create jobs; who supports fiscal responsibility; who desires healthcare reform that enhances affordability, access and choice; who advocates real reform of the Beltway bureaucracy; who is honest and transparent about what new legislation does for citizens, the pluses and the minuses; who supports effective not populist or ideologue regulation of the private sector; someone who believes in the American ethic of working hard and reaping the rewards from that effort and who respects and supports our Constitution. Mr. Scott Sipprelle is that candidate and he will receive my vote on November 2, 2010.
Michael Sheehan
Lovers Lane
To The Editor:
Like many in America, I am angry! I am mad: that our democracy is for sale to the highest bidder; that the corporate elite thrive while mainstream America suffers; that the unyielding opposition of the nihilistic Republicans has prevented Congress from acting more boldly to address the several crises we face. Should I join the Tea Party and vote against all incumbents? Or should I throw up my hands in disgust and sit out this election? No! I am voting for Rush Holt!
Rush Holt is an outstanding Congressman and diligently serves his constituents. He is a man of integrity, intelligence, and compassion. Being the only physicist in Congress, his colleagues look to him with great respect for his critical thinking, particularly on scientific matters. He is one of the few to earn a lifetime 100 percent score from the League for Conservation Voters for his work protecting the environment and conserving open space. Congressman Holt votes his conscience, and when the evidence was lacking in our rush to war in Iraq, he stood firmly opposed to this misadventure, even though it was unpopular at the time.
Why would I turn out of office such a fine Congressman in favor of an opponent who stands with a party which brought us to the brink of disaster? I agree with Rush Holt that the American Dream is for all citizens, and not just for the elite. Please join me in energetically supporting Rush Holt for Congress!
Stephanie Harris
Hopewell-Wertsville Road
Hopewell
To the Editor:
Like many, I am disheartened to learn of an investigation of members of the Princeton Township Police Department. However, before rushing to judgment, I feel compelled to ask that we recognize the excellent work of these individuals and the lifetime commitment that Chief Mark Emann in particular has made to protect and serve the community.
I have known Chief Emann since we were both students in the Princeton schools and have always admired his spirit, energy, and commitment to the community. My only professional dealings with the department related to my involvement in efforts to improve emergency communications in the northwest part of the Township without requiring a cell tower. In the course of that process it was apparent that Chief Emann approached his work with professionalism, patience, and an extraordinarily personal commitment to the safety of the community.
I am grateful to Mark and his colleagues for the decades of service and commitment to our safety and well-being.
David Gray
Heather Lane
To the Editor:
My last letter in August underscored the voters’ misplaced trust and now deep regret in allowing one party rule for 17 years in Princeton Township We are now seeing that an absence of checks and balances combined with no ‘hands-on’ leadership may have done more than damage just our property tax policy and revaluation effort.
Who is watching our police force? Saturday morning we discovered Princeton Township. was in every newspaper in the State discredited with this headline, “Mercer County Prosecutor Seizes Control of Princeton Township Police Force” — an unprecedented event in any jurisdiction in the County’s history.
The failed property revaluation of 2010 has left us all annoyed and financially impacted by inept tax policy change oversight. We are now looking at yet another incident of deficient ‘hands-on’ leadership and failed Township Committee vigilance. This new breakdown of ‘job description’ by the Mayor and Committee regarding checks on the power of our police and its Chief represents a second major failure of our government in less than six months.
Are the mice guarding the cheese in Township Police operations? We need answers to hard questions and we need them now. What happened to all the officers who resigned since 2005? Who spoke to them before they left other than Chief Emann? Who audits controls and procedures of police operations? These questions are also above and beyond the County Prosecutor’s criminal inquiry of the Chief and two associates.
A new mandate for change must be called for by you the voters. Stuart Duncan and I with your help on November 2 will provide that change. We have over 65 years of combined private sector leadership with expertise in business and finance. We also care deeply about the Township and the welfare of its taxpayers and the careful use of their monies.
Just go to www.vote4miles.org and read for yourself. Vote November 2 — Like Your Township’s Future Depends On It and now Its Reputation.
Douglas Miles
Poe Road
To the Editor:
Oh my!!! Is “the case of the missing campaign sign” another major issue in our town? Get over it, my partisan neighbor. Surely, your candidate will gladly replace your sign free of charge. As for the principle of the thing, could prankster youngsters be the culprit? Or perhaps political compatriots who create an incident to tarnish the opposing candidate? Unfortunately, politics can be a dirty business. The November election is news. Your missing sign is not. Yawn.
K. O’Connor
Lovers Lane