Letters
A Jewish view on Christmas, political correctness

Kudos to Richard Cannon for his letter to the editor regarding political correctness (P.C.) and Christmas (“Attempts to Make Christmas Politically Correct Are Offensive,” Sentinel, Dec. 22).

I am not a Christian and do not share in Christian traditions. Yet, when I see the joy in the faces of my Christian friends, neighbors, business associates or even strangers, am I not affected?

I admire the beauty and creativity of their Christmas displays and the care with which they decorate their trees, homes and businesses. The loving kindness they show as they try to overcome the commercialism and embrace the true spirit of their holiday — peace on earth, good will to men — is felt by all of us. They are happy, and I am happy for them, and I wouldn’t want them to be distracted one iota, especially because of political correctness, from enjoying the fullness of the traditions they have come to know and love.

I make it a point to wish a “Merry and meaningful Christmas” to people and to thank them when they respond in kind. Moreover, I have spoken with people in my synagogue and many of them share my beliefs.

The P.C. types demand “tolerance.” But why bother with that when, with the right attitude, we can have brotherhood?

Take heart, Mr. Cannon. Your views are shared by all people of good will.

Benjamin Feigenbaum

East Brunswick

Winning team deserves applause

As some of your readers may be aware, the Spotswood High School Boys Cross Country Team recently won the first state title in any sport in the history of Spotswood High School.

I am writing to not only congratulate the team, but also to thank Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes Jr. (D-18) for taking the time to come to a recent Board of Education meeting to personally present the team with a state proclamation honoring it for a tremendous season.

The state proclamation was the work of Assemblyman Barnes, Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (D-18) and Sen. Barbara Buono (D-18). I wish to thank all of them for their efforts on behalf of the team and the borough of Spotswood.

Thomas Barlow

member

Spotswood Borough Council

It’s time for New Jersey Legislature to pass Smoke-Free Air Act

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 Assoc-iation and New Jersey Breathes, a statewide New Jersey tobacco control coalition comprised of more than 45 leading state, health, nonprofit 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 in-door air legislation already enacted by our neighbors in New York, Delaware, Connec-ticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont – legislation protecting all workers, including those in restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, casinos, bingo halls, nightclubs and other businesses, 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 20 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 firsthand the devastating effects of secondhand smoke. No one should have to risk his or her health or life to hold a job. All New Jersey employees deserve a healthy, smoke-free work environment.

New Jersey has waited long enough. It’s time. Our family members, friends and neighbors should not have to risk their health or lives simply to earn a living.

The American Heart Assoc-iation joins with New Jersey Breathes to urge passage of the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act. Now is the time.

Dr. Charles Dennis

New Jersey cardiologist

board member

American Heart Association

founding president

American Heart Association

Heritage Affiliate

Streams, wetlands are not buildable land

In the ’90s, many towns in New Jersey changed their density ordinances to match the Manalapan ruling. Basically, the ruling said if someone owned 100 acres of land and the town had 2-acre zoning, a developer could put up 50 houses, even if 50 percent of that land was under water.

About three years ago, that ruling was overturned. I brought that to the attention of the East Brunswick Township Council, which stated it made no difference. They felt their other environmental laws were strict enough to protect the land. While that’s true when regular building is involved, it’s not when developers use the cluster option. In East Brunswick, the use of this option is made ever worse because the town gives extra houses to developers who are willing to cluster the homes they build into one area. Therefore, in East Brunswick, builders get a double benefit. They not only get more houses, they get to place them in such a way that they only have to build one street, one water main, one sewer line and basically save on all utilities. They can keep their trucks, materials and men on one job site, clear cut it, pop in their “McMansions,” and move on. Is this a great town, or what?

By changing its ordinance, East Brunswick could and should remove the extra houses given to builders; allowing them to cluster is benefit enough. Ponds, streams, wetlands and transitional areas should not be counted the same as buildable land. This only makes sense. Why hasn’t the ordinance been replaced? Ask.

Anthony J. Riccobono

East Brunswick