For the April 22 issue.
Group travels to Washington to ask Congressman for peace
To the editor:
A resident of East Windsor, and a long-time member of peace organizations working for an end to war, a peacetime economy, and the abolition of nuclear weapons, I set off with a group of 17 members of the Coalition for Peace Action in Princeton on Tuesday, April 12, to meet with members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation in the Capitol.
They were overall a courteous bunch, scheduling appointments with our group with constituents from the southern districts of New Jersey, although they were not very forthcoming in their opinions on the continued occupation of Iraq by American troops in spite of a newly elected government.
Few seemed to think the United States would withdraw from Iraq in less than a year and some seemed to think it might be longer than that most seemed intent on catering to "public opinion" or fear about the threat of terrorism inside our borders, which a variety of press polls show has decreased in the past two years.
We presented public studies of polls showing Americans are concerned about the high cost of the military and intelligence as well as ongoing foreign wars and weapons development, which now take about 45 percent of total U.S. spending, more than the Cold War era. And we tried to press home the point that the continued carnage and loss of life in Iraq might be contained by a withdrawal of our troops to strategic locations in the south.
New Jersey residents have sustained many losses during the past three years and it was a credit to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone that his office has on display two large billboards with photographs and names of those killed in the Iraqi war.
We also met with aides to U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith, Robert Andrews, James Saxton, and Sens. Corzine and Lautenberg, and finished up with a generous reception and group photograph with Rep Rush Holt. We hope we conveyed some of the different opinions of the public about the war in Iraq, issues about the U.S. military, and concerns about a nation relying too much on covert intelligence, which is often misinterpreted or wrong.
But we also hope that those with other concerns will continue to press New Jersey’s elected representatives for effective change in the near future. When we left the Capitol to head toward a sight of the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, we were left with the impression that they can listen to members of the public and possibly learn from them as well.
East Windsor
Have respect for the planet on Earth Day, and every day
To the editor:
My name is Brian Mulleavey and I am a Boy Scout in Troop 5700 in Hightstown. I am writing this letter as a part of my Communications Merit Badge.
Last Saturday my troop and I took a 10-mile hike though the Pinelands to the Apple Pie Hill fire tower. It was a beautiful day for a hike. We saw many pine trees, lots of hawks, crossed three manmade footbridges, and enjoyed walking on the sandy path. When we got to the fire tower, which is the highest point in the Pinelands, it was all trashed. There was a broken TV, a beer keg, lots of empty cans and other trash scattered all around. It made me feel sad that people would trash such a beautiful spot in our state.
On Friday, April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. I implore everyone: Please don’t trash the earth. This earth belongs to all of us, and it is up to all of us to keep it beautiful.
Hightstown
Assemblyman endorses audit of spending at UMDNJ
To the editor:
A threat to the integrity and reputation of our state’s only graduate health care institution, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, should be of extraordinary concern to all our residents and taxpayers.
Unfortunately, questions have been raised recently regarding UMDNJ’s awarding of contracts, the hiring of politically connected employees, "no-show" jobs, an enormous amount of money being spent on administrative searches and now, an ornate presidential inauguration at a time when most New Jersey residents are stretched to the limit trying to pay both high property taxes and their children’s tuition for higher education.
I strongly endorse UMDNJ Chairwoman Sonia Delgado’s decision to set in motion an independent audit of many of these concerns. I also will add my voice to that of my colleague, Assembly Health Committee Chairwoman Loretta Weinberg, in calling for a suspension of the presidential inauguration planned for next week. The celebration, at the very least, would not set the proper tone for our taxpayers as we work our way through a staggering budget crisis which will inevitably result in further hardship for some of our most vulnerable residents.
The tainted connection so evident in Trenton between politics and money must not tarnish UMDNJ. A quick, open and complete accounting in the full light of day is the only answer if the university is to successfully evolve into a nationally renowned institution, as recent investments in stem cell and cancer research suggest it can. We must be aware that partners in private industry, the federal government and national foundations will not join with us if they believe the "N.J. business as usual" philosophy is running UMDNJ.
As a member of both the Assembly Health and Education Committees and, perhaps even more importantly, as a medical faculty member of UMDNJ, I acknowledge my special responsibility to ensure that all of our citizens’ tax dollars are properly accounted for and that the integrity of UMDNJ be above reproach. We are all only too aware that there is far too much politics permeating all aspects of life in New Jersey. UMDNJ must not be contaminated as well.
Assemblyman
12th Legislative District
Remember to recycle old cell phones this Earth Day
To the editor:
Every April, Earth Day reminds us to think about our environment and to consider what we can do to clean up and protect the communities in which we live. One of the simple and easy things anyone can do is recycle. In today’s high-tech world, recycling is about more than just newspapers, plastics and cans. It’s also about no-longer-used small electronics including wireless phones, batteries and accessories.
There are now more than 180 million wireless phone subscribers in the United States, according to CTIA The Wireless Association. And, IC Insights estimates that 63 percent of the new wireless phones sold in 2004 replaced older models. So, if you’ve recently purchased a new wireless phone, don’t let your old phones and accessories stockpile in junk drawers, closets, garages, office storage rooms or worse, pile up in landfills.
Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless equipment, then refurbishes or recycles the phones in an environmentally safe way. Proceeds from HopeLine benefit victims of domestic violence and the non-profit advocacy agencies that serve them.
Participating is as easy as making a trip to the store. In honor of this Earth Day, simply drop-off any old wireless phones, accessories or spent batteries at your neighborhood Verizon Wireless Communications Store, and join us in playing a small part in protecting our environment.
Philadelphia Tri-State
Regional President
Verizon Wireless

