Letters

Helping our neighbors in Monmouth County

A month after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, we continue to see images of unimagined devastation. It’s clear that these images will continue for some time.

As various groups mounted efforts to help people recover from this disaster, I wondered how successful they would be. I must confess I was a bit skeptical.

First, it has been less than a year since the Asian tsunami. U.S. charities collected nearly $1.3 billion to aid that relief effort.

Second, the sudden surge in gasoline prices caused many people to be concerned about the impact that will have on their standard of living.

My skepticism passed quickly. Americans have mounted a relief effort that has no precedent in the history of our country.

The “Chronicle of Philanthropy” reports that in the 10 days after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Americans donated $239 million to Sept. 11-related charitable causes. In the 10 days after Katrina, $587 million was raised to help victims of what it characterizes as “the largest displacement of Americans since the Civil War.” And the fundraising continues, with telethons and appeals of all kinds, ranging from special concerts to children selling lemonade to special collections at churches.

As the president and chief executive officer of United Way of Monmouth County, I admit to watching this unprecedented outpouring of compassion with a mixture of pride and concern.

Pride, because once again the people of this great country have shown how generous they can be when moved by the devastating consequences of a catastrophic event. Concern, because of the impact it might have on this community’s ability to attend to the needs of our neighbors in Monmouth County.

Thousands of people in our community need help. As we work to improve our own quality of life, it’s essential that we remember the real and often desperate right here in our own backyard.

We launch the 2005 United Way Campaign knowing there are many residents here in Monmouth County who are counting on us to help them in their time of need.

And I’m optimistic that the generosity and compassion of the people from our community will again prevail, as it did in the campaign following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Together, with United Way, move families and individuals beyond poverty, allow seniors to live independently and with dignity and respect, ensure children a quality start and work together to rebuild lives and shape communities right here in Monmouth County.

So, even though there may be more demands than ever on our resources, please remember our friends and neighbors in our own community who are struggling to keep their lives together.

If I could wave a magic wand over our fundraising efforts this year, I would wish for a giant campaign poster with tens of thousands of people we help right here in Monmouth County, 365 days a year. That poster would have the following caption: “We’re counting on your help.”

Now, more than ever, your community needs your support!

Philip A. Brown III

president and CEO

United Way of Monmouth County

Officials, residents must stop eminent domain

I am the deputy mayor of Haddon Township. I am doing all I can to stop the government’s abusive exercise of eminent domain in taking private homes and businesses out from under people for the benefit of private redevelopers.

I urge your readers to take action to get the law changed in New Jersey to stop these abuses.

My fight is twofold:

1. Urging all elected officials in New Jersey to “take the pledge” against eminent domain abuse.

Petitions e-mailed to your readers on request to KathyHogan1@comcast.net; and

2. Demand your right to have local redevelopment-related ordinances canceled. In NJSA: 12A-28, the state Legislature took away your right to remove local ordinances related to redevelopment, which includes abusive eminent domain practices. This prohibition needs to be removed.

Your basic rights as free Americans in a democratic system are being eroded away daily.

Your right to due process of law: Demand better legal protections from your government, or watch your rights disappear.

Kathy Hogan

deputy mayor

Haddon Township