Concerning“Gravitas and civility, in the model of Andy Kim: Conaway for Congress”:
This Star-Ledger editorial endorsing state Assemblyman Herb Conaway for the soon-to-be vacant 3rd Dist. congressional seat of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (now a candidate for the U.S. Senate) was admirable but missed the forest through the trees.
Yes, Democratic nominee Conaway would make an excellent congressman. But, what is vexing many national Democrats is that they are not excited about a Joe Biden second term and fear he could lose the election to egomaniac Donald Trump. They also don’t see anyone waiting in the wings who could do a better job in November.
Most prominent party figures are nonstarters for the national electorate: giggly, linguistically-challenged Vice President Kamala Harris; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the former “mayor of Notre Dame” (South Bend, Indiana); and smarmy, arrogant California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Sure, Conaway could make a great congressman. But he also could be the Holy Grail many national Democrats are seeking to replace Biden. What’snot to love about this guy: a middle-aged, Black, practicing medical internist with a law degree who served in the Air Force?
Trump couldn’t lay a glove on Conaway. He would wipe out any inroads the Republican supposedly has made with minority communities, and would attract undecided voters in droves.
The problem, of course, is that Biden stubbornly refuses to step aside. He needs to look in the mirror and realize he’s had a successful, multi-decade career in politics, having ascended to the highest office in the land with substantive achievements.
It’s time for Biden to graciously withdraw and throw his delegates and war chest to an open Democratic convention. Then, someone from New Jersey’s delegation could enter Conaway’s name in nomination, and delegates could learn what a tremendous candidate he’d be.
As for a “lowly” state assemblyman rising to the highest office in the land: Wasn’t Trump a former fake-reality TV show host, with no elected office experience when he became president?
Rudy Larini, Somerset
The price of eggs in Hollywood
So, President Joe Biden hosted very rich and extremely rich celebrities for a fundraiser last weekend to aid his 2024 reelection campaign.
Well, that makes perfect sense, because these people don’t care if a dozen eggs cost 99 cents or $99. The cost of renting an apartment in any town or city in this country does not affect them one bit. Their biggest concern is how many millions of dollars they will be paid for their next project.
I would rather vote this year for a candidate, who, when they were president previously, “inflation” was just another word in the dictionary, not something we had to face every day.
I would rather vote for someone who did not agree to release billions in Iranian funds that had been frozen in Western banks. This money could be used by Iran to finance a war and help terrorist groups t fire on American naval ships.
I could go on and on, but, readers, do you really want a repeat of the last 3 1/2 years?
Don Montefusco, Maplewood
Don’t leaf a good compromise on the table
The suggestedphase-in of a proposed ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in New Jersey — especially the dirtier ones with 2-stroke engines — falls firmly on the “no-brainer” square of the climate-change game.
Not one for government regulations, I nonetheless can’t argue with Environment New Jersey’s Doug O’ Malley, who states that pollution created in one hour from that 2-stroke motor equals an 1,100-mile drive in a car.
That’s halfway to California! In an hour!
It’s disingenuous to say that we care about clean air and require our cars to run clean, only to allow an invasion of blowers to negate those requirements.
Writing the law with a phase-in compromise solves the problem of making “garbage” out of the blowers that landscaping firms currently have. (The 2-stroke ones would have to be retired in two years; 4-stroke ones could be used only during peak cleanup periods.)
Clean air is a cost of business, and the landscapers will surely pass any increased costs along to their customers, so they’ll be fine. And, the market will quickly answer the call for more powerful, battery powered blowers.
This is a lay-up for elected officials, and the smart ones (?) will take advantage.
Gene Domowicz, Hillsborough
Mass transit benefits non-users, too
Recent letter writer Vincent J. Frantantoni (“To fix N.J. Transit, make riders pay full cost of their trip”) wants riders to foot the entire bill for the agency’s operations and services because as a non-rider, he shouldn’t have to pay through his taxes.
Let’s look at how non-users like Frantantoni benefit every day from mass transit.
Mass transit reduces traffic. This cuts down on air and noise pollution. It means fewer car accidents, which helps keep insurance rates down.
Mass transit results in less wear and tear on roads, saving taxpayers money on maintenance. It allows drivers to get where they’re going faster, reducing their gasoline usage and car repair bills.
Let’s also not forget how mass transit boosts the entire region’s economy, as more people can get to their jobs, earn wages and pay taxes. The more people who are employed and pay taxes, the lower taxes Frantantoni has to pay.
NJ Transit is not without its problems, but Frantantoni should be thankful it exists, because it makes his life better even if he’s not using it.
David Sheridan, Fanwood
Long due recognition for NJIT
Thanks to NJ Advance Media for highlighting that Money magazine just ranked New Jersey Institute of Technology and Princeton as five-star universities for the money, their value putting them in the top 7% of all colleges and universities in the nation.
Over the past few years, NJIT has been recognized as one of the top technical institutions in the country and deserves this new honor, as well as more coverage by New Jersey’s foremost newspaper.
The Wall Street Journal last fall ranked NJIT 19th out of all colleges and universities in the country.
As chair of NJIT’s “Golden Highlanders” — they graduated at least 50 years ago — I am proud of the stature that NJIT has worked to achieve.
New Jersey should also be proud of its nationally recognized technical university. And, of course, recognition is always expected for Princeton!
Glenn Steiger, Mesa, Ariz.
The writer is a member of the Class of 1970.
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