S. Petresky writes that he's unable to open his windows because of the open-pit cooking fires.
To the Editor:
I have two neighbors who are obsessed with building smoky fires in their fire pits for barbecuing most evenings.
On a rare cool evening in South Jersey, I would love to open all my windows and air out my stale, air-conditioned house. Because of the smoke-loving neighbors, I am unable to do this.
Why someone would like to build fires and sit around them in 80-to 90-degree weather escapes me. Propane-powered fire pits are available as an alternative. Using them would solve two problems: satisfying the pit users' fascination with fire, and providing a non-stinky neighborhood for the rest of us.
Hopefully, my neighbors will read this and do the right thing.
S. Petresky
Pennsville
Wrong to shut down Salem Co. boat ramp
To the Editor:
The concept of "utilitarian ethics" implies that the common good should be foremost in decisions affecting large numbers of individuals, as opposed to one individual getting his or her way over the majority.
Apparently, this is not the case with the public-access boat launching ramp on Sinnickson Landing Road on the Salem River in Elsinboro Township.
Superior Court Judge Anne McDonnell, sitting in Gloucester County, recently ruled in favor of a petitioner who lives across from the ramp and claimed that its use, especially after designated hours, was a nuisance and adversely affected his quality of life. (McDonnell did not order the ramp closed, but its owner, PSEG Nuclear, chose to close it indefinitely because the judge ruled that more supervision is needed at the site.)
Keep in mind that the ramp has served hundreds of boaters every season. The U.S. Coast Guard also launched its small craft at this location, along with municipal fire departments when called upon to respond to emergencies occurring on the Salem and Delaware rivers.
The ramp has also served as relief for overcrowded conditions that occur at other boat ramps within 10 miles of the Elsinboro ramp. Let's not forget that the ramp is rarely utilized between October and the beginning of May, and is supposed be to closed via a gate at 9 p.m.
Access to the ramp was provided through the generosity of PSEG.
But none of his matters. A judge listening to one lawyer and one squeaky wheel felt that she knew what is best for the many.
It's time to take our country back.
Robert Lanard
Salem
More excuses for the rich in Clinton email saga
To the Editor:
The FBI just recommended that no charges be filed against Hillary Clinton for using non-secure, private email servers to send and receive thousands of confidential and secret messages -- and some classified ones -- while she was secretary of state.
Does this also mean that any other individuals who were disciplined or fired for a similar single mistake can receive forgiveness and/or get their jobs back?
Nothing has changed. The rich could get away with murder, and now they can send secret information over open email servers.
Larry Lueder
Mantua Township
Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com