Letters

A thank you from the GOP
To the editor:
   
I would like to publicly thank all who worked on the Committee to Elect Stasi and Smithers 2006.
   I would like to also thank Rob Smithers for his integrity, concern and for his unquestionable commitment to public service. I appreciate your sincere commitment to improving our community and raising critical issues such as pedestrian and roadway safety, township spending and protecting the historic district from intrusive proposals.
   To these important issues raised, I say our message was heard.
   I would also stress the importance of public involvement and free speech. Citizen participation is a crucial element in Democracy, and I urge all residents to step up and find a way to be involved in our local government. Enter with a sincere concern and dismiss those who try, with malice, to suppress and embarrass.
   I deplore those who found it necessary to publicly bate, belittle and degrade others with accusations that were twisted and misstated. Your character was noted.
   Most importantly, I thank all Cranburians who supported my campaign. I sincerely appreciate your confidence.
Diane Stasi
Republican candidate
Cranbury
Democrat offers appreciation
To the editor:
   
I would like to take a moment to thank the residents of Cranbury for their overwhelming support of Pari Stave and I for Township Committee.
   Cranbury voters have once again proven that the way to run a successful campaign is to get out and interact with the residents. I truly enjoyed knocking on doors and discussing various issues in a very positive and friendly way.
   It was unfortunate for me, that I was unable to reach all households, however, know that this Township Committee wants your active participation. Allow me to suggest that you go to our township website cranburytownship.org and register for the updates and notices.
   We will be facing many challenges in the months and years to come. Together we can make a difference and keep Cranbury the very special and unique place that it already is. It is my privilege to serve you all.
Thomas F. Panconi Jr.
Cranbury
Those tricky Monroe Democrats
To the editor:
   
I’m happy to see that the Monroe Democrats are up to their old tricks.
   In July, Monroe Mayor Richard Pucci chartered an ethics committee to determine if the current Monroe administration is ethical. The committee, with one exception all handpicked Democrats, have scheduled their first public meeting to discuss its findings.
   The Ethics committee is chaired by retired judge Joseph Sadofski. The meeting date is Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7pm in the Municipal Building.
   This date could not have been a better time for the Democrats and a worse time for the citizens. Nov. 21 is two days before Thanksgiving in what is a short week.
   The citizens of Monroe will be pre-occupied with holiday activities, family, football and travel. They may want to be involved with the machinations of the municipality, but not at this time.
   Coupled with the holiday festivities is the fact that the thousands of snowbirds that live in Monroe are gone for the winter and cannot, no matter how much they may want to, attend this meeting.
   Mayor Pucci and his merry band of ethicists know this. That is why Nov. 21 was chosen. It appears that the ethics committee needs some lessons in ethical behavior. Scheduling an ethics review meeting when they know that no one can attend is very unethical.
Harold V. Kane
Monroe
Gay couples deserve

full marriage rights
To the editor:
   
I’m writing today because I am concerned with the scant debate over marriage in our state. Our laws should be tailored to respect every citizen and promote equality. The current statutes for same-sex partners fall short of equality and I fear the state legislature will take the easy way out by advocating lesser, discriminatory civil unions.
   I describe civil unions as lesser and discriminatory because in the past, N.J. employers have chosen not to recognize these types of agreements. I recently saw a commercial with the late Lt. Laurel Hester of the Ocean County prosecutor’s office. While Lt. Hester was on her deathbed with cancer, the county declared her partner ineligible to receive benefits, despite the urging of the law. Lt. Hester had to spend her last months — after a lifetime of public service, mind you — fighting to protect her family. That is unacceptable. That is not equality.
   And that is why I’m asking you to support Assemblyman Reed Gusciora’s bill, "The Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act," so that people like Lt. Hester can live out their lives with dignity.
   I believe our state wants equality but has trepidation about the kind of language we use. That is why I ask you to understand that a civil union is not equality. Marriage is the only currency of commitment the real world universally understands and accepts.
   Our family, friends, and neighbors deserve better, and they need our compassion.
John R. Bohrer
Monroe