Letters

As a cardiologist and spokesman for the American Heart Association, I recently testified before the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee in support of the New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act (S1926). State passage of this legislation will help limit disability and death from heart disease and stroke, our state’s annual No. 1 and No. 3 causes of death respectively.

Tobacco was introduced to Western culture by Native Americans in the 17th century as a sacred medicine. Now — four centuries and so much scientific research later — we recognize the hazards of this former luxury. We have unraveled the mechanisms by which tobacco smoke causes disease. While individual vulnerability may vary, the adverse effects of tobacco smoke do not know age, gender or race. Whether inhaled through a cigar, a pipe or a cigarette, or from smoky clouds in the workplace, at a gambling table or in a restaurant, the potential mischief of tobacco smoke is scientifically inescapable.

As we all witness the breathtaking pace of scientific discovery and the escalating costs of health care, we become acutely aware our single most powerful clinical tool is prevention. I can’t emphasize enough the existence of compelling scientific and clinical data that explains just why tobacco smoke is implicated in nearly 1,000 deaths in America each day. We do not deny an individual’s right to take risks, but we are adamantly opposed to that individual imposing those risks upon another. We wish to advocate for the rights of so many urban and suburban residents who would choose not to be involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke.

I am proud the New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act recently passed the Health, Human Service and Senior Citizens Committee with flying colors. This was a wise and informed political choice, as well as a proud expression of public health responsibility. Your leadership is widely applauded, but the job is not complete. For the benefit of all New Jerseyans, the Smoke Free Air Act must still pass the New Jersey Assembly and Senate. Only then will we proudly say we accomplished what we set out to do — reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

William A. Tansey III

board of directors

American Heart Association

North Brunswick

School funding can be changed without expense of convention

In 1968 when I was a state assemblyman, I introduced bill A330 calling for a state constitutional convention. Why? I understood the problems associated with funding education with property taxes, and I wanted the system to change.

At that time, New Jersey did not have a state income tax, and a convention was required in order for the state to adopt one. I stated at the time that property taxes should be dedicated to only municipal and county expenses. This would have reduced all our property taxes by 60 percent. At the same time, I suggested that a 5-percent state income tax be dedicated to fund only primary and secondary education.

When bill A330 was introduced, it was hailed by the Philadelphia Enquirer, at a state freeholder convention in Atlantic City, by the Division of Taxation, and again at a debate among Sen. Norman Tanzman, Sen. J. Edward Crabiel and myself.

Unfortunately, no one at the time had the guts to introduce a state income tax. In fact, no legislature wants to introduce a dedicated tax of any type that would prevent building up a pork barrel for “friendly” purposes.

There really isn’t a need to hold an expensive constitutional convention in order to introduce a new method of funding primary and secondary education. The only reason, as I see it, is for the legislators to escape the responsibility for whatever decision is made through the convention.

There shouldn’t be a delay in enacting a method of funding for next year by having some legislator introduce a bill that would fund education by a dedicated state income tax.

The total cost for primary and secondary education in the state of New Jersey is $17 billion. The total income for all workers in the state of New Jersey is $398 billion — 5 percent of that amount is $19.9 billion, which is more than enough. This is a guaranteed method of funding education with no ifs, ands or buts.

This method of funding education would not only help senior citizens but would also help many people, who due to misfortune, are living on reduced or fixed incomes. It would encourage many seniors to remain in the state and not move away.

Since 1968 I’ve campaigned and written letters to the editor asking for the dedicated tax structure, and to this date, I’ve not heard one word of criticism regarding this idea. I wish some legislator would step forward and state, clearly, how education should be funded and what is wrong with the concept I have offered.

Frank J. Coury

East Brunswick

Charity event was a success

I would like to thank all the nice people who stopped by my home on June 11 and made donations to Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Pediatric Cancer Research (www.alexslemonade.org). My stand was one of more than 1,000 lemonade stands across the country last weekend.

Thank you to Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High School, Perth Amboy (where my dad works), for making some nice signs, donating the ice and lending me their tables. Thank you to the Coffee Beanery of Newport Mall in Jersey City for the cups and iced coffee. Thank you to Kraft Foods for donating the lemonade. And special thanks to EBTV and the Sentinel for mentioning Alex’s Lemonade Stand in the June 9 issue. A lot of people came by because they read about it in the Sentinel.

I know that Alexandra Scott, may she rest in peace, is smiling and thanking you from heaven. My little lemonade stand raised more than $600, “one cup at a time.”

Michele Katora

age 8

East Brunswick