William Duffield writes that Gov. Chris Christie should sign the smoking limits passed by the Legislature.
To the Editor:
State Sens. Stephen Sweeney and Joe Vitale are making an effort to prohibit smoking in our public beaches and state parks, and I am glad to see it.
Smoking poses a health hazard not just to those who smoke, but also affects everyone visiting beaches or state parks. The American Cancer Society states second-hand smoke can cause cancer the way that actual smoking does, and that it makes children more susceptible to illnesses like lung and ear infections.
On top of that, tobacco smoking smells and leads to countless cigarette butts being left on the ground. To see naturally beautiful landscapes covered in cigarette butts is sad and frustrating, and non-smokers should not have to be subjected to it.
Last year, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a previous version of this bill, which bans smoking in all state parks, and requires it to be limited to no more than 15 percent of a beach's land area. The governor didn't have a good explanation for the veto. (He stated he felt this should be a local, not state, issue.)
I'm glad to see Sweeney, as Senate president, did not give up and recently put the bill up for another vote. Our beaches should be healthy, clean destinations for everybody.
The just-passed legislation allows local towns to designate a small smoking area on their municipal beaches, which strikes a reasonable balance to accommodate those who do smoke. I hope Sweeney and Vitale are successful, so that everyone can enjoy these areas.
William Duffield
West Deptford Township
Editor's note: The current version of the bill, S-1734/A-893, passed both legislative houses on May 26 and awaits action by the governor.
Pick Harrison Township incumbents
To the Editor:
Democrat? Republican? Independent? What does it matter in a local election?
The question one must ask is: "Who are the right people to lead a community?"
In Harrison Township this year, it happens to be the incumbent township committee members, Louis Manzo and Matt Diggons.They are good Republicans and good men. (Manzo, the current mayor, and Diggons are opposed by Vincent Gangemi Sr. and Jeffrey Jacques in Tuesday's Republican primary. No Democrats have filed for committee nominations.)
I attend a lot of meetings, including the township committee and land-use board, as well as Harrison's historic commission and its economic development council. I sit on those last two, so I'm obligated. These are meetings where substantive decisions are made, and members of the public can influence the future of the community by participating.
That is how government is supposed to work. Decisions are made to go right or go left, to go full-steam ahead or, frequently, to stop, think and ask more questions.
Manzo, Diggons and the others now on the committee have always acted that way with one goal in mind: what is right for Harrison Township. And, somehow, that has become a campaign issue. I cannot claim to agree with all of their decisions, but, that is a matter of opinion. Claims that they are working for "special interests" have no basis.
There have been multiple discussions over the years of how and why money was spent, or why taxes needed to be raised. There has always been full public disclosure and discussion. The pretense that spending efficiency can be gained requires an answer to "What should be cut?" It sounds great but, in this case, it is a sham.
Chris Knisely
Mullica Hill
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