On March 28, approximately 100 concerned parents, teens, educators, law enforcement and community members came together to discuss an issue that has had a place on our local front pages all too often - all these concerned people came together to seriously discuss underage drinking.

In an effort to reach across New Jersey and America - a campaign called "Start Talking Before They Start Drinking" was launched. Activities will take place across Monmouth County throughout April, which is Alcohol Awareness Month.

Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among America's youth, according to the federal 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A higher percentage of young people, ages 12 to 20 use alcohol than use tobacco or illicit drugs.

As many as 4.4 million teens ages 12-17 report current alcohol use. Over 11 percent of 12-year-olds reported using alcohol at least once. By age 13, the percentage doubles. By age 15, it is over 50 percent. Further, research has found that adults who first used alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to report dependence on or abuse of alcohol than adults who first used at age 21 or older.

I invite you to join us in attacking this childhood issue; we must work together with our children at an earlier age to get the consistent message out across our communities.

Call Barbara Sprechman, Prevention First's Community Services coordinator at (732) 663-1800, ext. 211 and ask how you can help your family and your community. Together we can make a positive difference!

Mary Pat Angelini

executive director

Prevention First

Ocean

Time for a change in Long Branch

I live on Elberon Avenue adjacent to the new roadway (although it now looks more like a highway) that used to be a driveway leading to the "Ranch." After a lengthy legal battle, in November 2004 a developer broke up that driveway, which led to my two-car garage and side entrance making way for a one-way street into a proposed development. In its place was an unpaved dirt "roadway," which left me no access to the garage.

I won't bore you with all the gory details of that winter from hell. I'll simply cut to the chase and tell you that after six and a half months and a letter to the editor of [the Atlanticville], the problem was rectified with a blacktop surface.

We're now just one month short of a year since the initial paving and the only change is the street lights. No street signs. No traffic signs. No traffic enforcement. Nothing to indicate it's a one-way ingress. No fencing around a large detention basin, which has been filled with water for as long as it's been there.

And still no jurisdiction by the city of Long Branch.

What do we have, you ask? Besides the gaping holes along the curbs? Besides cars speeding in and out of Elberon Avenue at all hours of the day and night?

We have an accident waiting to happen.

Back then in '04 when I reached out to Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider for help he told me that since the street hadn't been deeded to the city, they had no jurisdiction over it and there was nothing he could do. He also told me I shouldn't have sued the developer. Was he trying to tell me I deserved this for delaying the project? Silly me. I thought the mayor was supposed to be an advocate for his constituents! I really didn't think he had any business telling me that, but I guess he just couldn't help siding with the developer.

He again repeated that comment about how wrong I was in taking legal action when we saw each other in a local restaurant where I had been lunching with a friend. My friend was appalled by what he said, but more so by the manner in which he spoke to me. "If I didn't hear that with my own ears I would never have believed the mayor spoke to you like that," she said. "He just lost my vote in the next election," she went on.

My friend's opportunity is now here, and so is yours. On Tuesday May 9 when you go to the polls vote Alfred "Alfie" Lenkiewicz for mayor. I've met Alfie and his New Wave Team council hopefuls, Ralph DeFillipo, Steve Molnar, John Ferraro, Leonard Goldschein and Carlos Nieves, and believe they will give the people of Long Branch the leadership and respect they deserve. The time for a change is now!

Arleen Mavorah

Elberon

Schneider team has revitalized city

Anybody who drives around Long Branch should know by now that there is an election coming up. I recently visited the campaign Web site for Mayor Adam Schneider and City Council members David Brown, Mary Jane Celli, Michael DeStefano, Anthony Giordano, and John Zambrano, www.schneiderteam06.com, and saw stark visual evidence of how this team has revitalized the city. You can see old pictures of the burned-down, decrepit boardwalk from "before" right next to the "after" picture of the beautiful, refurbished boardwalk down at Pier Village. You see run-down, vacant lots filled with nothing but weeds and asphalt side-by-side with the beautiful buildings that now stand in that location. And whereas the old, rat-infested waterslide stood as a symbol of the beachfront's decay, the gorgeous new pavilion on the boardwalk now stands as a symbol for the beachfront's revitalization. Long Branch's beachfront had been in such bad shape that families wouldn't even consider bringing their children down there. Now, because of the experienced team we have at City Hall, we have a beautiful beachfront that has quickly become a magnet for the city's residents on the weekend. The beachfront is now a place we as a city can be proud of - a place where you can bring your kids, meet your neighbors and friends for dining, shopping and other activities.

When you see these pictures, you will see how far the dedicated and experienced leadership of the Schneider Team has taken this city. Long Branch is a proud community again, and we need to remember who we have to thank for it on Election Day this May 9.

Robert Goodman

Long Branch

Solution to eminent domain abuse: fair play

The newly appointed N.J. public advocate, Ronald Chen, states that he will not have a "knee-jerk response" to the eminent domain question because it "is a complex issue."

For whom? we ask. The subtext of his assertion ought to be read as: "We need to keep this a complicated issue in order to obfuscate when we propose a solution that will have enough loopholes and ambiguity to satisfy those major campaign contributors who profit from the abuse of the power of eminent domain by the state in order to screw the little guy out of his home or livelihood."

Solving the abuse of eminent domain is not a complicated issue to anyone with a sense of fair play. It is only complicated to those who need to create a "fix" that can be gamed by those currently abusing its use. You know, like the recently passed and already compromised campaign contribution reform.

The state of Alabama was not confused when coming up with wording for its legislation to curb abuse of eminent domain. Their law states: "A municipality or county may not condemn property for the purposes of private retail, office, commercial, industrial or residential development; or primarily for enhancement of tax revenue." Whoa! That certainly is complicated to understand. Or is it so plain that it might just bring abuses such as those in Long Branch to a grinding halt?

With statements such as above, how Mr. Chen will execute his office of public advocate is already suspect. At least, as far as really advocating for the public. Of course, when defining such a term as "public," one must keep in mind it has a very complex and far-reaching meaning.

At least, when it comes to how Trenton and the politicians see who the public advocate represents.

John C. Hendrickson

Red Bank

Save a life - learn CPR, Heart Association urges

Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation can mean the difference between life and death for your child, your parent, your sister or brother, your golfing buddy, your neighbor, your coworker or even your teacher.

As a New Jersey resident and chairman of the New Jersey American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, I urge New Jersey family members and residents to Get Hands On! and learn CPR during the sixth annual American Heart Association CPR Week taking place April 1-9 at more than 60 locations around the state. American Heart Association CPR Week is absolutely free!

In a story covered by media around the state, on Tuesday, March 21, a 17-year-old-old Hopatcong High School junior saved the life of his 36-year-old French teacher by administering CPR to her after she collapsed in the classroom. The student, who learned CPR for the first time the prior Friday and who had practiced his CPR in a health class just one hour earlier, immediately started CPR on the unconscious teacher. After about 30 seconds, she regained consciousness. The simple and safe skill of early CPR arguably saved her life.

The week prior, a teacher at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville was saved by two fellow teachers thanks to early CPR and the immediate availability of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

As the American Heart Association says, "Heroes aren't born, they're trained. Learn CPR!"

For nearly a decade, the American Heart Association has been on a crusade in the Garden State encouraging the widespread and immediate availability of AEDs and that laypeople, such as family members and friends, be trained in CPR. CPR is a critical skill that will enhance safety and better prepare you for personal, home, medical and cardiac emergencies. Know CPR and you may save the life of someone you love.

Featuring the theme, "Heroes Aren't Born. They're Trained. Learn CPR!" American Heart Association CPR Week is a massive statewide free community CPR training event specifically geared to the layperson - family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Get hands on April 1-9 at the free sixth annual American Heart Association CPR Week. Call toll-free at 1-877-AHA-4CPR to learn more, find a training site near you, or to register. Learn CPR and you might some day save a parent, a child, a friend, even a teacher. Call the American Heart Association at 1-877-AHA-4CPR.

Scott Hansen

chairman

New Jersey American Heart Association

Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee