Candidate offers voters thanks for campaign experience
To the editor:
I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the voters of Lawrence Township. The last six months were a challenging and exciting experience as I made my first bid for a seat on Township Council.
I truly enjoyed walking our neighborhoods and attending community events where I had the opportunity to talk with so many residents who care as much about Lawrence as I do.
It was my intention to portray a positive vision for our township and maintain an open dialogue that would allow us all, Republican, Democrat or otherwise, to work together to make Lawrence the best it can be.
Thank you again for the support and well wishes. This experience has made me a better person and even more committed to the prosperity of Lawrence Township.
Michael P. Horan
Pagoda Court
The writer was the Democratic candidate for Township Council.
Lawrence finds unity
To the editor:
The common units that tie us together transform a town, place or people into a community. In terms of places, we can recount our schools, churches, temples and mosques; the post office, farm markets and grocery stores. But where else do people assemble? Events of celebration like Community Day, the Fourth of July Fireworks and concerts in the park; farm and flea markets, sporting events, theater and elections all serve our shared need to assemble in peace and in safe camaraderie. Our daily work, be it public service, commerce or capital investment, faith-based or other, all bring us together.
Recently, the "History of Lawrenceville" was celebrated in Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church; and here one could discover the common units of our shared history.
But another history is taking place these days in Louisiana and Mississippi. At a time when others choose to play "the blame game" for the failings of government in a crisis situation, countless volunteers from states all over our country are assembling along the Gulf Coast to provide assistance to those in need.
In a crisis situation it is important to remember what history has taught us, and will say about us. However, by seeking out the common units that bind us together as a community of caring people, decisions become clear and the history that we create today will benefit many generations of our community for years to come.
Victor Murray
Melvina Drive
Editorial misses point about Holmes
To the editor:
I am disappointed by your editorial which dismisses as mere partisan squabbling the legitimate questions raised about whether Councilman Mark Holmes violated the federal Hatch Act in seeking re-election to the Township Council.
Potential violations of federal law by public officials are hardly petty matters. From everything I’ve read on this subject in recent days, there is a very legitimate question about whether Mr. Holmes has violated the 60-plus-year-old federal law designed to protect government agencies, their employees, and the public from inappropriate partisan influences.
To suggest, as you have done, that people should "put aside" questions that cut right to the heart of the integrity of our electoral and governing process is astonishing. Do you really believe that public officials should not be held to the law and that legitimate questions about questionable conduct should be suppressed?
Certainly, the Council faces many important issues in the weeks and months ahead. But attending to those issues does not require anyone to put aside concerns about potentially illegal acts by members of our governing body.
Newspapers are supposed to be watchdogs of the public interest, not lapdogs for the interests of those in power. You should be urging Mark Holmes to commit to following the law, not protecting him by suggesting that this matter is simply a distraction.
Bob Bostock
Springwood Drive
Long wait for help from State Police
To the editor:
Last Friday afternoon, we were rear-ended on Route 295 South in Lawrence, just before the exit for Route 1. At 5:15 p.m., it was dark and the traffic trying to merge into the right-hand lane for exiting was heavy.
Fortunately, no one appeared to be injured. We sustained some damage to the rear bumper but were able to pull on to the shoulder. The other driver was not so fortunate. She came to a stop in the right lane with airbags deployed and unable easily to open either door of her car. With traffic speeding around both sides of her car, including onto the shoulder of the road, we were able to assist her out of her car.
We called 911 immediately and then again later, at which time we were told that the State Police, who had jurisdiction over the highway, had been diverted to another case. At 6:45 p.m., one hour and 30 minutes after the accident, the first and only State Police officer arrived, stating she had gotten the call about five minutes earlier. We’d like to thank and commend the volunteer firefighter from Lawrence Road who stopped to assist us on his way to dinner with his family. He contacted his dispatcher and was able to get Lawrence Township Police Officer Bianca Lampley on the scene. She parked her vehicle with lights flashing behind the damaged car and set flares, thereby finally affording us some safety while alerting oncoming traffic to the accident. Since it was not her jurisdiction, she could do no more than stay with us until the State Police arrived. Thanks also to the state Department of Transportation employees who also stopped to help divert traffic and eventually get the disabled car off the road.
Thank goodness for Good Samaritans while we waited for the State Police.
Ann N. Laughlin
Madison Street
Princeton Borough
Susan Anderson
Sharon Road
Washington Township
Take a deep breath and back smoke-free law
To the editor:
That sound we all hear is the collective coughing and wheezing of New Jersey waiting for the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to be passed.
The American Heart Association and New Jersey BREATHES, a statewide New Jersey tobacco control coalition comprised of 45 leading state, health, non-profit and civic organizations, have urged the New Jersey Legislature to pass a statewide policy effectively banning smoking in public places for too many years. During that time, as we’ve waited nearly 11 years for smoke-free air legislation to be passed, close to 19,000 New Jersey citizens have died due to the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also commonly referred to as secondhand smoke.
How many more of our neighbors, friends or family members need to die? Enough is enough.
As a New Jersey cardiologist, husband, father, and American Heart Association board member, I urge New Jersey to finally pass the Smoke-Free Air Act replicating the smoke-free indoor air legislation already enacted by our neighbors in New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont legislation protecting all workers, including those in restaurants and bars, from the health dangers of secondhand smoke.
Being in a smoke-filled room is worse than smoking a cigarette. The smoke from the tip of a cigarette is twenty times more dangerous than what a smoker inhales. Even 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke reduces blood circulation and increases your risk for a heart attack. As a physician, I see first-hand the devastating effects of secondhand smoke. No on should have to risk his or her health or life to hold a job.
New Jersey has waited long enough. The American Heart Association joins with New Jersey BREATHES to urge passage of the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act. Now is the time.
Dr. Charles Dennis
Board member
American Heart Association
U.S. Highway 1
North Brunswick

