I read the article on page 16 of the April 28 edition of the Examiner regarding the proposed crematorium on Route 33 which clearly stated that those “who would like to know more about the incinerator can attend a residents’ meeting at the Clarksburg Inn at 7:30 p.m. on April 28.”

I was interested in finding out what the objections were, and what data they had regarding potential toxins and emissions. As a resident of Conover Road, I am just as close to the site as Ms. [Jolene] Conoszenti (who was interviewed) and have just as much of an investment in my property. I am also a mother and grandmother who cares about a safe environment for children. I also believe achieving a safe environment requires the common-sense approach of researching the facts before flying off the handle.

When I got to the Clarksburg, I was greeted with suspicious looks by the men guarding the door, one with a clipboard. I introduced myself as a resident of Conover Road who was undecided and there to listen to whatever facts they had to present, that I honestly did not know whether I was for or against the idea. That was the reason I went to the meeting.

I never got the chance to give them my name. The man with the clipboard and his friend immediately told me that I was “not getting in, only people against the incinerator were allowed in.” The reason he gave was because they paid for the room and he wasn’t sure if I was against the crematorium. I was shocked at his hostility and rudeness. I stayed outside for a another minute, and this man, who was apparently running the event, decided it was time to begin and said to his henchmen, “She’s not getting in, she’s not with us, don’t let her in.”

I am sure that I did not misread the Examiner — the quote above is verbatim. I read the www.noincinerator Web site also. The Web site also invites residents to come and listen. Those invitations were lies.

If this bouncer at the door of the anti-crematorium group meeting at the Clarksburg was a gentleman, he would apologize for his rude behavior, and the founders of the group would apologize for misleading the public. If the leaders of this group want to encourage residents to listen to their message, preaching to the converted will get you nowhere.

Joann DeAngelis Kelty

Millstone Township

N.J. Environmental Federation endorses Handlin

The N.J. Environmental Federation’s (NJEF) Vote Environment Committee (VEC) recently announced its support for Amy Handlin for state Assembly in the 13th Legislative District. She is running against longtime incumbent Joseph Azzolina in the June Republican primary. This is just the second time since the 1980’s that NJEF has endorsed in a legislative primary.

As a Monmouth County freeholder, Ms. Handlin has always been a strong and at times lone advocate for environmental and public health protections. As a Monmouth County resident, I have seen Ms. Handlin’s hard work turn into real quality-of-life improvements for the county and my young family. The 13th District has long lacked the open space and anti-sprawl advocacy that its residents deserve. We are excited at this opportunity to bring about a long-needed change.

Her long environmental record includes her opposition to major developments in Northern Monmouth County including the Aberdeen Forge (which would decimate the Freneau Woods in Matawan/Aberdeen) and the Middletown town center mall, a project of the Azzolina family. She has actively supported acquisition of farms, forests and beachfront as parkland, and regional planning to protect watersheds from sprawl related pollution and stresses. As chair of Monmouth County Communities Against Tobacco Coalition, she also understands the need to clean up our air indoors as well as outdoors.

Without her leadership, Monmouth County voters would not have had the opportunity to turn away a proposed garbage incinerator in the early ’90s. Freeholder Handlin played an instrumental role in developing a fiscally and environmentally responsible solid waste plan that emphasizes recycling, composting and high density bailing — all of which continue to extend the life of the county landfill.

We know that protecting the environment is very difficult, if not impossible, if developers are able to use the power of money to influence decisions made by public officials. In Monmouth County, Freeholder Handlin has been urging greater transparency and accountability of government for some time now. She has put forth many initiatives including protections for whistle blowers, a ban on gifts from vendors, elimination or overhaul of no-bid contracts, as well as an end to wheeling political campaign contributions.

From Chadwick Beach to Leonardo, from Holmdel to Lincroft, the Jersey Shore beginning with the Raritan Bayshore needs more pro-environment legislators, who seek solutions to the ethical and land use pressures that sprawl development poses in Monmouth County and Old Bridge in particular and the state as a whole.

Amy Handlin is the right choice in the 13th legislative district. A vote for Ms. Handlin in the Republican primary is a vote for a proactive environmental advocate in Trenton.

Between now and election day, our door-to-door canvass will be directly contacting voters in the district. In addition, NJEF’s phone canvass and e-mail alert system will be activated to inform its members about Amy Handlin’s pro-environmental credentials and ultimately get our voters out to the polls.

Amy Goldsmith

state director

New Jersey

Environmental

Federation

Ben Forest

board member

NJEF Vote

Environment Committee

Belmar

NSPS regulations need to be reviewed by politicians

On the night of July 17, 1944, in what was to be the worst home-front disaster of World War II, two transport vessels loading ammunition at the Port Chicago, Calif., naval base were suddenly engulfed in a gigantic explosion. Three-hundred and twenty naval personnel were killed instantly, while hundreds were injured as the blast shattered windows 20 miles away.

A court of inquiry never officially established a specific cause for the explosion. Testimony was taken about competitions between crews during loading operations. While not listed by the court as a cause of the explosion, the court did recommend in the future that “the loading of explosives should never be a matter of competition.”

On the morning of Feb. 14, a 30-day public comment period began on proposed regulations for the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) published on that date. This new system could do exactly what the court of inquiry recommended not doing more than 60 years ago.

At Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck and Leonardo section of Middletown, our business is the storage, transportation, loading and unloading of explosives. The ships we service are impressed with our efficiency and professionalism. The surrounding communities can rest assured that our mission is accomplished by well-trained crews with safety always a prime consideration. Why do we need a new personnel system that could change that?

The new NSPS will be performance-driven. This may lead to direct competition between workers, between crews, between supervisors and between managers. This would totally destroy the concept of teamwork vital to the successful operation of Earle.

Before the regulations are signed into law, they will be reviewed by your elected representatives. Please contact your congressman and senators and ask them to give full consideration to the possible consequences any change to a personnel system that has helped keep you safe may have.

Lawrence M. Harned

president

American Federation

of Government Employees

Local 1659

Colts Neck