September 30, 2015

“Rubber Stamp” Representation Prompts A Letter to Assemblywoman Donna Simon

To the Editor:

The following is a letter we wrote to our Assemblywoman Donna Simon last year. She and our Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli have never voted to override Governor Christie’s many vetoes even on overwhelming bi-partisan-supported legislation they both voted for. We do not need “rubber stamp” representation in the state legislature and that is why we are supporting and voting for Andrew Zwicker and Maureen Vella as highly qualified and independent thinkers not beholden to the whims and ambitions of our governor.

However, Princeton and other voters had a shamefully low voting record in last year’s election. Less than 35 percent of registered voters voted in that non-presidential year, which we have coming up again this November 3. That is one of the key factors that changed the makeup of the U.S. Senate. Those who are not registered or who need an absentee ballot can call the Office of the Clerk of Mercer County at (609) 989-6465. Here is the letter sent to Assemblywoman Simon:

“We, and many others we know, are very disturbed by your anti-environmental voting record on key issues such as open space funding and voting against banning importation of fracking waste to New Jersey from out of state.

On the latter issue, you apparently go along with the governor in again vetoing this measure, which has overwhelming bi-partisan support. His argument on the constitutionality of the proposed ban has not been an issue in other states which have banned fracking waste importation. Why would a legislator vote to import more toxins to New Jersey, which already has more than its share of toxic waste from its days as a heavily industrial state (most superfund sites in the U.S.) as well as from current practices? A better model would be to follow the more enlightened example of your colleague, Senator “Kip” Bateman, especially on environmental and public health protection.

The first responsibility of those who represent the public is to protect from harmful practices. As a relatively new legislator we hope you will think more deeply and independently on far reaching issues, especially protection of our environment, usually related to public health. This is a critical issue for many in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the U.S.”

Grace and Frank Sinden

Ridgeview Circle