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| Letters to the editor for 10/27 |
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Independent candidates offer change in Vernon
Editor:
I’ve spent the last several weeks trying to figure out just what I wanted to say regarding our upcoming town council elections. Although I’ve only been a resident of Vernon for less than 10 years, I have developed a love for our community and its incredible surroundings. I serve on the Land Use Board and was its past chair, and well as serving on the Environmental Commission, the Financial Advisory Committee, the Plan Endorsement Committee, the Signage Ordinance Committee, and was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Vernon.
I am a loyal Republican and enjoy being an active participant in the many facets of Vernon life. Unfortunately, what I see around me is disheartening to say the least — out of control spending by our elected and appointed officials, mismanagement, and the prospect of a 2 percent or better increase in municipal taxes next year.
Now, Vernon finds itself at a crossroads: It can vote for the same old, same old politics as usual, or for “change” in Sally Rinker and Mary Ellen Vichiconti.
It’s not just that I feel like a disenfranchised Republican, but I see the current Republican committee as a detriment to Vernon. I believe that their selection of candidates leaves much to be desired. Just look at the qualifications of those selected, if you can find them. Ask yourselves why they refuse to debate their opponents. Is it that they have nothing to say? Or is it that they know nothing?
On the other hand, the independent candidates have a long history of business and participation in various boards and commissions; they have been and they continue to give back to their community.
Enough said. As a disenfranchised Republican, a Democratic or an independent voter, if you want the “same old politics,” then vote for Shortway, Pier and Benda.
If you really want “change,” and a brighter future for Vernon, then you must vote for the independent candidates Sally Rinker and Mary Ellen Vichiconti.
David Gornstein, Vernon
New Jersey needs independent governor
Editor:
A couple of weeks ago I decided to read again what I wrote in March and which the New Jersey Herald published as a “community column.” You very aptly titled my musings as “Ineptitude of government: Only ourselves to blame.”
Upon the re-read, I decided to take my own advice and will be voting for Chris Daggett. I do not agree with Mr. Daggett on all points but I do believe the citizens of New Jersey will see only the status quo if either Gov. Corzine or Mr. Christie win the election.
I have come to the conclusion that there is neither a Democratic nor a Republican party in New Jersey. The ties worn might be different colors but in the end the attitudes and actions in Trenton are the same.
Therefore, it is time to elect an independent governor who can reach out to those members of the legislature from both sides of the aisle who want true reform. I encourage each voter to look at the positions taken by all the candidates.
It’s time to concentrate on how we can make New Jersey affordable for both people and businesses. How refreshing it would be to start the new year with a governor interested in doing the best for New Jersey rather than what is politically expedient.
Carl Luthman, Lafayette
Lagging job growth shows recession not over
Editor:
I recently submitted three questions for the last debate. Though I am supporting the Democrat for re-election, I have seen job growth lag behind, nationally and in this state. We have losses of the following magnitude, including 168,500 since December 2007, and if you look below you will see other state stats:
• There have been 38,200 jobs lost in manufacturing.
• There have been 37,300 jobs lost in trade/transportation utilities.
• There have been 35,700 jobs lost in professional and business services.
• There have been 32, 500 jobs lost in construction. Every union and every contractor I know is hurting!
• There were 19,800 jobs lost in financial activities.
• There have been 5,300 jobs lost in government.
• There were 700 in leisure and hospitality, and 14,000 lost in education and health. (Source: the Herald News of Paterson)
Now, many of those jobs paid a “living wage” and were the true barometer of the middle class. Yet there has been a continued decline in manufacturing for decades, which makes many of our older workers redundant. Some will cite training, but training for what? Which is what I sent to former Labor Secretary Robert Reich in an e-mail after one too many of his books. I remember New Jersey producing all the toys, Coach pocketbooks and making ships and refining petroleum. Our trade policies ended that base and with every manufacturing job, we lost four private sector non-manufacturing jobs, which I heard Perot once note in his ill-fated run.
Along those lines, I do not think pharmaceutical jobs will come back to New Jersey with offshoring and never-ending mergers and acquisitions, and thus those middle class members are now redundant as well. Look, remember, in the United States 44 percent of all households have experienced a job loss or a cut in pay or hours over the last year, and many families have been facing this for a longer time, if we read Paul Krugman’s book.
We need to create more than 10 million new jobs (Source: EPI) just to get where we were before the recession on a national level, and my guess is that we need something like 400,000 jobs to get New Jersey where it needs to be. We need to get competitive with real educational change at all levels, pushing for more science, with real science teachers, more technology classes at all levels, more engineering students, both nationally and state-wide, and increases in math levels for all levels of education without leaving anyone behind.
We need to get competitive on the state stage, and on a national stage, without any more trade giveaways, and the president and congress better look again at the tire veto on China, which was just hot air. We need a national and state commitment to do what RFK noted was essential: “to do more and be better at it.” This recession is not done with the hilarity of the stock market; it’s done as Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC noted, when “the American people and that includes the people of New Jersey say its over.” It just isn’t over, and pray for sun this winter!
Bill Weightman, Hardyston
Support encouraged for Stanhope incumbents
Editor:
I would like to ask all residents of Stanhope to support the re-election of both Michael Depew and George Graham to the Stanhope Borough Council.
Through their efforts there has been a significant upgrade in the professionalism of the borough staff, as well as morale. And for the 2009-10 budget, there was no tax increase at all.
They both have proved to be effective for the interests of the residents of Stanhope, they deserve your support.
Brendan C. Fahy, Stanhope
Created: 10/26/2009 | Updated: 10/26/2009
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