Letters

The global war on terror knows no boundaries as we’ve seen with the bombings in Madrid, London and now Sharm el-Shiek, Egypt. This will also be a long conflict but one which the global community cannot afford to lose. Our military bases must be evaluated on their mission capability and military essentiality. Fort Monmouth has a long proud history of research and development of technologies that have helped our war fighters. Its expertise was critical in the development of night-vision goggles. As a result of that technology, the United States military has supremacy on the battlefield at night and we are unchallenged.

In Iraq and Afghanistan our forces are now facing a new threat with the suicide bombers and improvised explosion devices (IEDs). It is imperative we develop new emerging technologies to detect and identify these explosive materials before they are detonated. Fort Monmouth will play a key role with its proven research and development capabilities. These developing technologies can then be field tested at the nation’s only tri-service base — Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force Base and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, by our war fighters.

In addition these technologies will be applied not only on the battlefield but also to protect our civilian communities and transportation centers. I firmly believe it is imperative that Fort Monmouth remain open to complete its research and development mission.

RADM (Ret) Maurice Hill, Dover Township

Third Ward Councilman

Toms River

Electricians want Oyster Creek relicensed

The introduction recently in the U.S. Congress of a bill by Sen. Jon Corzine designed to complicate and alter the already secure relicensing process for the nuclear power plant in Oyster Creek is deeply troubling. For years, Sen. Corzine has enjoyed the widespread support of working men and women throughout New Jersey because of his concern for those issues which are critical to a stable middle class. However, Sen. Corzine’s newest legislative introduction smells of the kind of flip-flop which was so emblematic of the failed campaign of Sen. John Kerry just two short years ago.

Local newspapers reported that Sen. Corzine made it clear that he was in support of the relicensing process and that he was inclined to support the relicensing itself. It should be noted that that process requires the undergoing of a rigorous multiyear analysis of all aspects of the plant operation by the NRC. Now Sen. Corzine’s call for another independent body smells of the worst kind of flip-flop, a gray one, designed to obfuscate and give him political cover.

Furthermore, at a recent meeting, in front of hundreds of friendly working family members, Sen. Corzine said in his remarks that he recognizes clearly that he got elected to the Senate because of the support that working men and women so generously and effectively provided. He further stated his then-supportive position on Oyster Creek was taken because it was the “right thing to do.”

Sen. Corzine needs to remember what he has said, because that support can just as easily evaporate.

Chip Gerrity

president

New Jersey State

Electrical Workers

Family thanks community for their support

On July 23, Allison Riley held a lemonade stand to raise money for Shriners Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia. I cannot believe what a great turnout it was. Allison raised $307. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who showed up either to just make a donation or to buy lemonade.

I would like to thank Debbie Zub of Big Lots for letting Allison set up out front, along with the kind employees who helped by buying lemonade. I would like to thank Karl Vilacoba of the Brick Bulletin for writing such a wonderful story on Allison. I think had it not been for the story, we would not have had the big turnout like we did. I last but not least want to truly thank everyone who helped to support a good cause. The kindness of strangers that day was nothing short of spectacular.

The Riley Family

(Chris, Robyn,

Allison & Michael)

Brick

Codey appeals to residents to support ‘Do Not Call Law’

For families across New Jersey, the scene was all too common. With a jarring ring, a telephone call would come right in the middle of dinner or during a family activity, interrupting the quiet evening at home and disrupting quality time with the family. More often than not, the call was from someone trying to sell you something you didn’t need or want.

Thankfully, just over one year ago, a state law took effect that has improved the quality of life in homes all across New Jersey.

The Do Not Call Law has brought welcome sounds of silence, as telemarketers no longer are allowed to call the 3.2 million telephone numbers registered by New Jersey residents to date. The law puts consumers in charge of controlling telemarketing calls rather than being at the mercy of telemarketers.

But now, this successful law is under threat, and all New Jersey residents need to take action. The American Teleservices Association (ATA) has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that seeks to have certain portion of New Jersey’s Do Not Call Law preempted because of alleged conflicts with the FCC’s rules. In addition, a group of 33 organizations — including the ATA — has filed another petition that seeks to have the FCC declare it has exclusive jurisdiction over interstate telemarketing.

The FCC is accepting comments from the public on both petitions until July 29. I encourage New Jersey residents to contact the FCC and tell the agency how the state’s Do Not Call Law has made a positive change in their quality of life.

Residents will find more information about the two FCC petitions on the main page of the state’s Web site, www.state.nj.us. A link to e-mail your comments directly to the FCC is provided and I encourage residents to act immediately.

An indicator of the effectiveness of our state law are the two lawsuits the Division of Consumer Affairs filed this spring against New Jersey companies that allegedly violated the law by calling telephone numbers on the “do not call” registry.

Consumers can register their residential landline and mobile telephone numbers by calling the Federal Trade Commission at 1-888-382-1222 or by logging on to www.donotcall.gov. For the convenience of New Jersey residents, we use the FTC’s database so there is no need to register a second time with the state.

Please remember, once a telephone number is registered, telemarketers in New Jersey have up to three months to stop calling. Also, the law does allow certain calls to continue, including solicitations from charities, queries from polling organizations, messages from political campaigns and calls from businesses where a consumer has an established relationship.

I am asking for the public’s help in enforcing the Do Not Call Law. If a telemarketing call is received at a registered telephone number, note the date and time of the call; erite down the name of the company on whose behalf the call is being made; if you have caller ID, write down the caller’s telephone number; ask the caller the name of the telemarketing firm that he/she is working for if it hasn’t been disclosed; note the purpose of the call.

Residents are encouraged to file complaints with Consumer Affairs about calls that allegedly violate the Do Not Call Law. To file a complaint, call 1-888-656-6225 or log on to www.nj.gov/donotcall/ for a complaint form. Consumers may file their complaints online or fill out the complaint form, sign it and return it to New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 45025, Newark 07101.

Richard J. Codey

acting governor of New Jersey