LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 9
Close loopholes on McMansions
To the editor:
Assuming your editorial regarding McMansions (The Packet, May 2) is correct and accurate, it is incomprehensible to me how developers can get away with this type of charade. At the very least, it makes a mockery of our township government and the zoning board.
Why can’t our Township Committee pass logical legislation to prevent such acts of outright trickery? It would seem reasonable that the committee could add some strong legal language to the present zoning laws that would prevent aggressive developers from trying to circumvent the spirit and intent of the law.
With heavy fines and loss of the developer’s license, this type of loophole would be closed and neighborhoods would be protected.
John H. Denny Sr.
Prospect Avenue
Princeton
Inverso, Baroni standing up for us
To the editor:
I was at a town meeting at the Hamilton Library with Sen. Pete Inverso Assemblyman Bill Baroni. I wanted to hear where they stood on Gov. Corzine’s tax increases.
I was happy to hear both Sen. Inverso and Assemblyman Baroni are fighting the tax increases and cuts to education. They realize that cutting state aid to education only results in higher property taxes. Property taxes are forcing people from their homes, and cutting state aid and raising tons of additional taxes will only make it more unaffordable.
I know Sen. Inverso and Assemblyman Baroni are working to lower property taxes and make New Jersey an affordable place to live. It’s good to know someone in Trenton is standing up for us. I hope Gov. Corzine will come around, too.
Florence DePativo
Berrel Avenue
Hamilton
Show gratitude on Memorial Day
To the editor:
Each and every day, the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces make sacrifices. Unfortunately, some die in the line of duty, making the ultimate sacrifice.
The liberties and freedom we enjoy as Americans has been preserved only by the blood, sweat, tears and, yes, the very lives of our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. Too many take our rights for granted and do not stop to consider that the price of democracy cannot be calculated in monetary terms alone. Human life is so precious that it is priceless. Yet for centuries, men and women have been willing to die for the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.
As Memorial Day approaches, I wish to remind everyone that they can show their gratitude and respect for those who have died for freedom and democracy by attending one of the many Memorial Day ceremonies and activities that will take place throughout our state. We shall never forget.
Joseph M. Gugliuzza
State Commander
The American Legion
West Hanover Street
Trenton
Time to bring our troops home
To the editor:
Our government reports that April was the deadliest month this year in Iraq, with 67 American soldiers killed. That brings the total near 2,400 dead since the start. Almost 20,000 GIs have been seriously wounded, over half with head injuries; most of the rest have lost eyes, arms or legs. Estimates of Iraqi citizens dead range up to 100,000, with 8,300 reported killed in the past three months.
We brought down the dictator, trained their police and new army, helped them adopt a new constitution and elect a government, and we rebuilt much more than we destroyed. Our dollar investment is about to bankrupt our government. Just think what that money could have done to fix the Katrina damage, or fix Social Security, or provide medical care to the poorest of our citizens.
This war has exceeded the length of the Korean Conflict and is nearing the length of the U.S. involvement in World War II. If we have not succeeded to date, when will we? When will enough be enough?
It is time for the Iraqis to take charge of their nation or go down to another radical Islamic dictatorship of the mullahs, like in Iran. It is time for us to bring home all of our reserve and National Guard soldiers by Labor Day, and the rest all home by Christmas,
Our president has the same ailment that inflicted Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon how do we leave without losing face? No one can ever fault the United States; we alone have given more than enough in dollars and blood. It is time to bring our heroic men and women home, and spend our money taking care of our own.
Len DiDonato
Tall Timbers Drive
Lawrence

