Create U.S.
Department of Peace
To the editor:
Some ideas are so good that it’s a wonder no one thought of them sooner.
That’s the way I feel about the Department of Peace.
The Department of Peace would be a Cabinet-level department, which advocates peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution for both domestic and international concerns.
Our decision to go to war with Iraq was, as our president stated, motivated by our desire for peace. Who really believes that war is the best way to achieve peace? And why, then, do we not devote proper resources to peace?
Defense has its own department, one that receives a hefty chunk of our tax dollars. We have defense plans that cover every conceivable possibility. If only we would devote ourselves so enthusiastically to peace.
According to House Resolution 1673, an appointed secretary of peace would advise the president along with our other secretaries. The Office of Peace Education would create a Peace Academy, similar in structure to the military academies; graduates would study four-year peace concentration and, upon graduation, service five years in public programs dedicated to nonviolent conflict resolution.
The passage of this legislation would mean, for the first time, that we really "give peace a chance," putting our best minds, knowledge and practice to work for peace.
I would also like to publicly commend our Assemblyman Rush Holt for co-sponsoring the Department of Peace resolution. May peace prevail; we can do it!
Lambertville
Board member
grateful for support
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those individuals who worked on my campaign for election to the South Hunterdon Regional School board.
All your efforts of hanging out flyers, making phone calls and campaigning for me are greatly appreciated. I could not have succeeded without your efforts. I ask for your continuing support over the next three years.
In addition, I would like to thank all of my supporters for taking time out of your busy lives and venturing out to the polls to vote for me. Your overwhelming vote of confidence has been an inspiration to me.
I apologize for not getting this thank you out sooner. I have been very busy delving into the task placed before me. I am working diligently to get up to speed on procedural issues as well as beginning to address many of your concerns.
Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and idea on school issues at any time at 397-6496, extension 120. We will be keeping you informed!
Lambertville
South has top
FFA program
To the editor:
Congratulations to the South students and David Ritter for having an exceptional program and an excellent FFA banquet.
It was exciting to see a group of enthusiastic, young people demonstrating what they have so effectively learned in class and vibrantly demonstrating that learning can, in fact, be enjoyable and readily applied to the real world.
Over 120 students, family and friends attended the annual end-of-year banquet and shared in the review of the past year’s activities, passed out awards to recognize excellence in and out of class and announce new FAA leaders for the coming year. They looked well, spoke well, and they did well; I could not have been more proud to be with them.
I had the special privilege of being invited as a guest having served as the first teacher of the vocational agriculture program and advisor to the FAA at South back in 1959-60 when the school opened. Forty-two years ago, we had our annual banquet in that same cafeteria. What a nice memory.
As I remarked to the group, no place else in education is there a program where students learn and integrate leadership, public speaking, teamwork and individual excellence, science and the human factor, parliamentary procedure, career development and college preparation!
Special recognition to Mr. Ritter for doing an excellent job; it sure does show in your students.
A special acknowledgment to Harry Schnieber, also present at the banquet. He was one of the early teachers at the old Lambertville High School and longtime ag teacher at Belvidere. He was an excellent teacher when I was in vo-ag in New Brunswick in the ’50s!
Keep up the excellent work at South. With that type of attitude and leadership, you are certain to do well in the future.
If anyone is in doubt about young people and secondary education, tell them to stop in at the vo-ag class at South.
Dr. Bonja of the education program at Cook-Rutgers remarked that South has one of the top programs in New Jersey.
professor and dean emeritus
Rutgers University
FFA member
former Hunterdon County Agricultural Agent
Delaware Township
Displaced homemaker
programs being cut
To the editor:
Though I understand the difficult position of the governor for developing the state budget for 2004, the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey Inc. and the people we serve are outraged!
The DHNNJ represents 16 programs across New Jersey serving women who are widowed, separated, divorced or have a disabled spouse or one who cannot support the family. The programs assist women and their families in rebuilding their lives by providing counseling, workshops, computer training, re-entry to school, career counseling and job readiness.
Displaced homemaker programs are a positive alternative to welfare.
Thousands of concerned citizens signed petitions and wrote letters urging reinstatement of the proposed 50 percent budget cut announced by the governor in his February address.
Gov. McGreevey recently responded to supporters, "While this is a slight reduction in funding, it does underscore this administration’s commitment to helping New Jersey’s most vulnerable citizens."
This is far from a "slight reduction!" It is a 50 percent cut and represents a 78 percent cut over the last three funding years.
The services provided by these programs are a pay-back system. Participants go through a profound transformation and, instead of draining the state’s economy, they become productive tax-paying citizens and positive parent role models.
Can we allow this to happen? This decision will be finalized by June 30. Everyone can help. Please call the governor today (609) 292-6000.
center coordinator
Educational Services Commission
Career and Life Planning Center
Raritan Township

