Hate crimes act would increase penalties
To the editor:
In late August, a synagogue in New Hope was desecrated with swastikas.
I sympathize with my friends who are surely feeling anger and dismay that something like this could happen to them. I, too, am outraged. I deplore violence targeted against any group of people because of their beliefs or lifestyle. I have spoken to the rabbi and offered to help the congregation in any way that I can.
Hate crimes are still a reality in America, despite years of progress on civil rights. According to the FBI, more than 8,000 hate crimes occur a year.
In an effort to combat hate crime, more than 20 states have enacted legislation to ensure that criminals who commit these types of crimes are severely punished. There also are a number of initiatives at the federal level to deter hate crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an effort to share information among law enforcement officials at all levels of government to prevent and prosecute hate crime. More FBI agents and prosecutors are now being assigned to work on hate crimes. The Departments of Housing and Urban Development has taken steps to aid the victims of housing-related hate crimes. But we need to do more.
In Congress, I am a co-sponsor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 1082, which builds on these measures and expands federal jurisdiction over hate crimes. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act would increase penalties without violating First Amendment rights or religious beliefs. H.R. 1082 is an important bill and has significant bipartisan support in Congress. Two hate crimes amendments that I support also have been added to the FY 2001 National Defense Authorization bill, which is being considered in a House-Senate conference.
As Congress returns to session, I will renew my efforts to get this needed legislation passed.
Rush Holt
Member of Congress
Rush Holt represents New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, which includes Hunterdon County.
Don’t penalize taxpayers for drunkards’ misdeeds
To the editor:
I was at a New Hope Borough Council meeting last month about getting more police officers when Councilman Jake Fell said – about Spring City – "I’m sure the town doesn’t have 17 to 19 barrooms." Council President Richard Hirschfield responded that the New Hope Police Department is expensive because this is a tourist community with a lot of bars. "The question is," he said, "how do we get the state to recognize that we have a unique situation."
We are not unique because of merchandising. That goes on in any tourist town. But we are unique in the way that in this tiny one-square-mile village there are 19 bars! It’s the alcohol that causes the majority of the physical and verbal abuse -along with heinous acts of human barbarism and vandalism, like fecal-laden underwear, used condoms, toilet paper and empty whipped cream cans being found in residents’ yards and along the towpath. How many tourist communities can boast of this!? And two weeks ago at the Shul House the anti-Semitic graffiti atrocity! Let’s be frank: alcohol promotes irresponsible behavior. Is this our unique situation?
And we the taxpayers are the ones being financially penalized for "their acts." I refuse to pay "in the future" an earned income tax for law and order in New Hope due to drunken people who have no regard for basic human decency. Is this "our unique" situation?
Those establishments that serve liquor should be responsible for the ones that fill their cash registers to the extent they don’t serve more alcohol to the obviously sated. What about a maximum-drink policy? It is embarrassing that we have come to this. And it makes me angry that I may have to be penalized through taxes so that some semblance of law, order and cleanliness on South Main and the towpath as well as other byways of our little village can remain safe and untouched by undignified human beings.
Surely those who fill their coffers by selling alcohol should be most responsible for acts motivated by the consumption of it. And most often the sneaky miscreants get off scot-free, leaving behind their remains for us to wake up to. Is this our unique situation?
There are those of us who live here for the beauty and pastoral setting. As a resident I am happy for those who make a living here selling alcohol. By the same token, if responsibility has any meaning at all, I should think they would be happy to pay for added police-patrolling needed on weekend evenings due to what they sell and who they sell it to. Why should my bank account get thinner so theirs can get fatter?
Richard Hirschfield, you ran on the ticket "no earned income tax"; will this be another "Read my lips"?
What’s so unique is that I have to pay for it. And I refuse!
Olga Pitcairn
New Hope
Touched by stories about attack, loss of pet
To the editor:
As I breezed through the Aug. 31 Beacon, I came across two articles that touched my heart.
The first detailed the horrendous bias attack of a man from Levittown in front of the New Hope Wawa, and second of a woman’s recent loss of her trusted and loyal German shepherd, Misty. Though I don’t consider myself overly sentimental or sensitive, I found myself crying over the pain both of these people have experienced. One suffered pain and humiliation simply because he was being true to himself, and the second so eloquently intimated the loss of an important member of her family.
My husband and I are recent transplants to the New Hope/Solebury area. One of the many wonderful characteristics that attracted us (not to mention the sheer beauty of the area) was the openness and acceptance of people from all walks of life. That a bias crime would be permitted to happen in this area shocks me.
The fact that the two men who allegedly committed the unwarranted attack were from out of town gives me little solace, since I thought the twentysomething generation was being raised to be more tolerant. My only hope is that those who witnessed the attack came to the immediate and compassionate aid of the young man from Levittown.
Regina Coeby
New Hope
Elks appreciate Legion’s support
To the editor:
I would like to thank all of the American Legion officers and members for their support of the Lambertville Elks. As you well know, we have purchased the old moose lodge on Wilson Street and are using the building until our new building is constructed.
Without your generosity the past five years, our lodge most likely would have dissolved. By letting us use your facility for our meetings and functions, we were able to keep our lodge active. All of your members were very gracious and included us in your functions.
Please let me be the first to invite you to our new lodge once we get it up and running. Again, thank you very much, and if we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
Richard Aneskewich
Exalted Ruler
Lambertville Elks
