LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Oct. 17
Homeland Security aims at wrong target
To the editor:
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency conducted raids on the homes of our Latin American neighbors and friends in this area. Removed and sent to detention centers or prisons to be deported were men, women and children, all having resided amid us for 15 years. They had paid their federal and state taxes annually, driven legally with New Jersey state licenses, possessed car insurance, and in many ways were contributing members of our society. Their children were our children’s playmates and classmates; their parents helped us in our homes. ICE targeted them due to the irregularities of their immigration status.
By what conceivable measure do these deportations enhance homeland security? Is our community safer by the DHS intent of removing from our midst the working poor who toil daily cleaning houses, mowing lawns and caring for our children and the elderly? Would not our tax dollars be better spent seeking the removal of drug dealers and traffickers of humans? Surely illegal drugs and human bondage are far greater threats to the American way of life that DHS is charged with defending. But perhaps it is more politically convenient to threaten a community that is relatively defenseless but marked as different by their language, heritage and looks.
One has but to remember where such similar tactics took Germany in the late 1930s. Unlike that historical moment, today Americans still have a voice to protest such official actions by writing directly to their congressional representatives or to the executive branch, i.e., President Bush and DHS Secretary Chertoff.
Peter T. Johnson
Hamilton Avenue
Princeton
Anti-left rant merits response
To the editor:
It’s hard to know just where to begin in responding to T. Burnet Fisher’s anti-left rant (The Packet, Oct. 10). Is this person living in Princeton, or in his underground bunker on some other planet?
Mr. Fisher argues that President Bush has taken the offensive against the Islamist terrorists who threaten us. If only that were true. By diverting our attention from Afghanistan where those who attacked us on 9/11 were actually based and getting bogged down in Iraq instead, President Bush has severely weakened our military, squandered international support, wasted billions of dollars and emboldened our enemies. Five years after 9/11, Osama bin Laden (remember him?) is still at-large, Afghanistan a mess, the Taliban resurgent and Iraq a terrorist haven where none had existed before. Moreover, this misguided "democratic" experiment is now in danger of becoming a Shiite theocracy aligned with Iran. Is this why 2,700+ Americans have died?
Although no mainland attack has taken place since 9/11, the number of terrorist incidents worldwide has only increased since our invasion. As an American, I take no comfort, and feel no safer, knowing that tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of innocent Iraqis have been killed or maimed because "we’re fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them here." This administration has shamelessly abdicated its responsibility as an occupying power to ensure the security of Iraq’s civilian population.
Mr. Fisher also claims that "animals . . . and indiscriminate murderers" deserve no rights. How is he so sure of their guilt? Is he privy to secret evidence? Fox News and rubber-stamp Republicans in Washington won’t point this out, but a large majority of detainees are not "enemy combatants" captured in battle. Rather, they are victims of mistaken identification, or were handed over to our military to settle personal grudges or collect a bounty. Why anyone who believes in our fundamental liberties would want to deprive innocent people facing lifetime incarceration the right to defend themselves is beyond understanding. Terrorism is better fought without sacrificing this nation’s bedrock principles.
If Mr. Bush is protecting us from "authoritarian rule" and Democratic attempts to "gain power over our lives," he sure has an odd way of going about it. His unitary executive doctrine and unprecedented signing statements undermine congressional intent and the constitutional separation of powers, and assert monarchical authority. Warrantless surveillance places him above the law. He interrupted his vacation for the first and only time in office to intrude on the most intimate private matter (removing life support from a terminally ill spouse).
It may be uncomfortable to acknowledge but the defining features of his presidency its corporate-driven legislative agenda, the never-ending evocation of external threats and fear, religious intrusion into the public sphere, militaristic posturing, suspect election results, unchecked executive power, rampant corruption and cronyism, disregard for human rights and attacks on organized labor and critics are more characteristic of fascism than a healthy, flourishing democracy.
With this gang in charge, perhaps moving to Mars is not such a bad idea after all.
Alan Goldsmith
Lakeview Avenue
South Brunswick
Pfeifer strives to improve quality of life
To the editor:
I support the election of Barbara Pfeifer to the West Windsor Township Council this November to complete the remaining months of Kristin Appelget’s vacated term.
Barbara was an effective member of the Planning Board, grasping the current growth issues of our township. The knowledge gained from serving on the Planning Board and Ordinance Review Committee has made her an outspoken member of council for protecting the public streetscapes and parkland, updating existing zoning ordinances and cleaning up derelict properties.
Barbara and I share the goal of creating a dynamic, sustainable, vibrant town center at the train station. This fall, as our community openly begins the planning stages for the town center, Barbara’s respect for West Windsor’s past history and vision for the future will be an asset to successfully balancing the complex issues affecting the township created by traffic, housing, open space, taxes and safety.
Barbara’s professional business and financial background brings new talents to the council discussions and I look forward to working with her to continue to improve the quality of life for all West Windsor residents.
Heidi Kleinman
Vice President
West Windsor Township Council
South Mill Road
West Windsor
Pfeifer stands for positive change
To the editor:
West Windsor has started an exciting journey to a better future and Barbara Pfeifer will use her dedication and business experience to see that we finish what we have started.
West Windsor has done a great job of acquiring open space with almost 50 percent of the land in the township already set aside. We have many natural fields and woods. What we need is open space for people to enjoy today, not more open space at taxpayer expense that can’t be developed anyway due to environmental restrictions.
Barbara will fight to see more ball fields of every kind and playgrounds for our children. She fully supports the completion of the improvements at Community and Duck Pond parks, along with more walking and bike paths throughout the town. This can all be accomplished while we cut the open space tax to three cents from the current seven cents. Why this is being opposed by some is hard to understand.
We have also begun a unique open process to redevelop the Princeton Junction train station area. Barbara Pfeifer will use her vision and business experience to see that this project is completed in the best way possible for all of the residents of West Windsor. With this we have an opportunity to improve road safety, ease traffic and increase tax revenues from this valuable asset.
On Nov. 7, let’s not vote for the status quo and obstructionism or the failed policies of past administrations. Let’s vote for positive change and working together. Let’s vote Barbara Pfeifer for Township Council.
Patrick Boyle
Windsor Road
West Windsor
Elect Birge, Fay in Montgomery
To the editor:
I write for two reasons: first, to urge every eligible person to take the time to vote in the Nov. 7 elections; and second, to urge all those eligible to vote in the Montgomery Township Committee elections to vote for Cecilia Birge and Brad Fay.
Ronald Reagan used to wear a tie emblazoned with the words "Democracy is not a spectator sport." He was trying to tell us that the success of our system of government depends upon the active participation of as many of us as possible in all levels of government local, state and national. Earlier this year, I took this admonition to heart (for the first time) and got involved in local political activities. In doing so, I have come to know Cecilia and Brad and their stands on the issues facing the Montgomery Township Committee.
I can say, without reservation, that on the issues avoiding tax increases, determining the best use of the NPDC property (the future Skillman Village), controlling traffic congestion and preserving open spaces, among others Cecilia and Brad bring a determination to seek out all the relevant information needed for decision-making and a deep commitment to finding common-sense solutions to the problems involved.
In addition, Cecilia brings a special financial training and background that has already benefited the Township Committee greatly in her current role as deputy mayor and member of the committee. Brad has a significant amount of hands-on experience with the NPDC project gained when he was president of Montgomery’s Van Harlingen Historical Society during its effort to preserve NPDC as a historic site. As a result, Brad has a larger vision of, and is better prepared than other candidates to deal with, the extremely complicated and important issues concerning the development of the NPDC site.
But they also bring something that I consider more important than their knowledge of the issues, their qualifications and their past experience. That is their honesty, openness and forthrightness in their relationships with those around them in the campaign and with the public. They are our neighbors from down the street, and they treat all as neighbors. They are willing to make the sacrifice of time and effort (Cecilia has four young children and Brad has two) to contribute to that active democracy I referred to above by running for office. While most of us cannot run for office, we can make our contribution and participate in a significant way by going out to vote on Nov. 7. Cecilia Birge and Brad Fay deserve your vote for Montgomery Township Committee.
Michael Joye
Blue Heron Way
Montgomery
Somerset GOP responds to ‘outrageous accusations’
To the editor:
A letter to a local paper recently made an outrageous set of accusations about the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Somerset County has long adhered to a strong set of ethics rules. Our practices include specific ethics requirements, financial disclosures and a fair and open process for the selection of all vendors. Somerset County does not award "no-bid" contracts. All of these practices meet state law requirements, including the recently enacted "pay-to-play" laws.
The Somerset County freeholders have gone beyond state law in protecting the public’s trust. The freeholders prohibit a member from having more than one public pension. No other county government in New Jersey has this provision. Additionally, no freeholder may hold another elected office while serving as a freeholder.
With regard to political campaign contributions, the Somerset County freeholders have asked counsel to research the prohibition of "wheeling." Under this practice, an individual, business entity or political action committee is permitted to make a sizeable contribution to one county party, only to have it then contributed to another county or municipal political organization. This practice exploits loopholes in contribution limits and conceals who the real contributors are. We feel that the practice of "wheeling" defeats the purpose of the "pay-to-play" laws and violates the public’s trust. The highly touted Montgomery ordinance does not prohibit "wheeling."
The Somerset County Republican Party does not receive funds from other county political parties. Unfortunately, the Somerset County Democratic Party has received thousands of "wheeled" dollars for other county parties, mostly from Middlesex County.
The fact is we need a statewide law to address political campaign contributions, not a patchwork of ordinances offered by individual municipalities. Republicans in the state Legislature have pushed for real reform over the past several years, but have been thwarted at every opportunity by the Democratic majority in Trenton.
The Somerset County freeholders will continue a fair and open process for selecting vendors. We believe that there is more to be done regarding "pay-to-play" and that is why we need to ban "wheeling" and establish complete transparency. Furthermore, we are seeking a statewide law that will prohibit this practice and support a lower limit on all political contributions to officials at all levels of government.
Ken Scherer
Director
Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Willow Road
Hillsborough
End ‘pay-to-play,’ elect Wilson, Sullivan
To the editor:
Over the past few years, the Somerset County freeholders have given millions of dollars worth of no-bid contracts to their big campaign contributors. "Pay-to-play," the more common name for this practice, is often referred to as "the corruption tax."
Unfortunately, under the all-Republican freeholder board, these obvious and overwhelming conflicts of interest have become the norm. As a result, Montgomery’s county taxes have risen by 25 percent in the past five years, increasing at twice the rate of inflation. County tax hikes have been even higher in other towns.
With Somerset County taxpayers being squeezed more than any other county in the country, we simply can’t afford the extra cost of doing business this way. "Pay-to-play" is clearly wrong and should be illegal.
After decades of one-party rule in Somerset County, it’s time to break up the cozy relationships between the incumbent freeholders, their vendors and campaign contributors. Louise Wilson and Dennis Sullivan will end "pay-to-play" in Somerset County. Ms. Wilson banned the practice locally when she became mayor of Montgomery Township in 2002, and Mr. Sullivan is equally committed to putting a halt to the practice.
Send a message that this corrupt practice will no longer be tolerated. We, the taxpayers of this county, need to have confidence that our elected officials are working for us, not those that fund their campaigns. Let’s choose the team that will shake things up and put taxpayers’ interests ahead of all else. I strongly urge voters to support Louise Wilson and Dennis Sullivan for Somerset County freeholder.
Kenneth J. Reilly
Barrington Road
Montgomery
Wilson’s integrity important to county
To the editor:
Regardless of party affiliation, regardless of income, regardless of where you live, everyone feels the impact of increased taxes. I know I do. And yet, I believe there is an answer to rising taxes for those who live in Somerset County.
I have seen municipal taxes actually decrease in Montgomery Township while Louise Wilson has been mayor for the past four years. But, unfortunately, municipal taxes are just 10 percent of our overall tax bill. During the same period, county taxes have risen more than 24 percent. In some towns in Somerset County, the increased county taxes per home is actually 38 percent.
Now Louise Wilson is running for Somerset County freeholder, and this fiscally prudent town leader plans to use the same sound approach at the county level.
Louise Wilson has an excellent record in other areas, too, and she plans to fight for the same things for Somerset County. Mayor Wilson has been successful at preserving land in Montgomery Township. At the county level, she opposes the freeholders’ plan to divert money earmarked for open space for other purposes. She has fought to create an atmosphere in Montgomery where integrity, honor and hard work are fostered, while greed and cronyism are a thing of the past. She plans to fight scandals and pay-to-play, bringing the same level of integrity to the county level.
I know Louise Wilson and have for many years. We have worked on volunteer projects together. I have always admired her for her leadership skills, her honesty and her ability to troubleshoot and find creative solutions. She is always willing to jump in and roll up her sleeves, and she fights for what she believes with integrity.
I trust Louise Wilson completely and know that she would be the best person to be a freeholder for Somerset. I will be voting for her in November, and I encourage you to seriously look at her record and vote for her, too.
Jill Turndorf
Augusta Court
Montgomery
Development inconsistent with historic Rocky Hill
To the editor:
Last Friday’s (Oct. 13) Packet quoted all four Rocky Hill Borough Council candidates as having concerns about Ordinance 704 pertaining to the Shafer tract. This is indeed refreshing. Many others in town are also unhappy with this ordinance, which permits McMansion-sized duplexes to be built within Rocky Hill’s historic district. Despite public questions and objections expressed at numerous municipal meetings, the ordinance was passed by majority vote.
During my second term on the Planning Board in 2004, the borough’s Master Plan stated under Community Vision: This Master Plan should primarily focus on strategies that will protect and preserve the established character of the Borough." Furthermore, under Goals and Objectives: "The primary goals and objectives listed below have not fundamentally changed from previous Borough Master Plans." One of those objectives is: "Renovation and redevelopment in the Historic District should be undertaken consistent with the pedestrian orientation and scale of the village and the character of its existing building stock."
Has Rocky Hill’s community vision changed? Past ordinances and zoning regulations had been carefully crafted to complement and strengthen the existing character of the historic district and the village core. The massive structures that Pulte Homes expects to build on the 15.7-acre Shafer Tract are not consistent in scale with the historic homes in the historic district as reflected in Ordinance 713, the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
In a 410-acre village of 662 people, it is also refreshing to hear that there are numerous people in town who are concerned that the community vision has recently been eroded through changes in the Master Plan and new ordinances, which may not be in the public interest. A comprehensive open process, coupled with open and public discussions at all planning levels during the crafting of these changes, was not fully implemented.
In addition to the four candidates running for two Borough Council seats, there are two men running for mayor. Let’s hope that these candidates and the concerned citizens work together towards restoring a vision for Rocky Hill embracing the fundamental premises of the 2004 Master Plan. Responsible growth is a long-term planning process, not a shortsighted partisan political issue. No one disputes that responsible growth includes development. The challenge is to zone for development based on designs and scale that complement the existing character of our historic village and reflect a common vision for our community.
Jeanette K. Muser
Montgomery Avenue
Rocky Hill
Come together to Race for the Cure
To the editor:
Aerobic exercise, we have been told, improves our cardiovascular health. The Komen Foundation Web site (www.komen.org) indicates regular physical activities and healthy living are important and can help reduce risk of serious health problems including breast cancer. Build physical activity into your daily routine. All you need is moderate activity like brisk walking for 30 minutes daily. Why do regular physical activities lower risk? Because exercise reduces estrogen levels, fights obesity, lowers insulin levels and boosts the function of immune system cells that attack tumors.
Looking for one more cool way to get off the couch and simultaneously help a great cause? Here it is: Select the men or women’s 5K run, one-mile or 5K co-ed walks at the 2006 Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey Race for the Cure on Sunday, Oct. 29, at Bristol-Myers Squibb on Route 206 in Lawrence. Even children 11 years and under can enjoy their own "fun run."
Become an "awareness messenger" for hope, courage, and healthy life. Participate in the 2006 New Jersey Race for the Cure. Join this huge cadre, a statewide network of volunteers and awareness messengers who help women empower themselves to take better care of themselves, who help spread the message about the importance of early detection (recommended mammography, clinical breast exam, monthly self-breast exams), and who help support medical research and diagnostic programs for the medically underserved.
Sign up (www.komencsnj.org) to run or walk at the New Jersey Race for the Cure. Wheelchair participants are welcome to join the largest breast cancer race in New Jersey. Get your daily exercise and help raise awareness and funds for scientific research and screening programs. Participation in the Race is important. However, the most important run a woman can do for herself is to detect breast cancer early, when it can be treated successfully.
In the recent news: Most cases of inflammatory breast cancer are not associated with a breast lump. This form of cancer can be missed or misdiagnosed. Symptoms can mimic benign breast problems. Symptoms include thickening and redness of the breast, often resembling the skin of an orange. There may be dimpling of the breast, change in shape, nipple discharge, itching and retraction of the nipple as well as a feeling of heaviness of the breast. This form of cancer grows faster in younger women than other forms of the disease. Inflammatory breast cancer is often hormone-receptor negative and overexpresses HER-2/Neu. Regular self-breast exams and prompt follow up with a physician about any changes are important.
There may be women who are afraid to seek health care because they believe that finding a lump in the breast means breast cancer. We encourage women to speak promptly with their doctor about any concerns. Most breast lumps are not cancerous. Eight of 10 breast lumps are benign. Women should not be afraid to seek medical care or to schedule a mammogram, and not skip a mammogram. A biopsy may be necessary even if the mammogram is negative.
So let’s come together for a very important cause.
Rochelle Hammer
Volunteer
2006 Komen Foundation
Central and South Jersey Affiliate
New Jersey Race for the Cure
Groendyke Lane
Plainsboro

