I haven’t said it enough these past two months, but I am thankful Gov. Phil Murphy is at the helm during this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.
I believe many lives have been saved here under his rational leadership, with decisions based on facts, science and data, as well as a priority on citizens' lives over money. I can not overstate how refreshing it is to have an elected leader actually value lives over the economy.
It is ridiculous and sad that I even have to write a sentence like the one above, but, unfortunately, Murphy is among a minority of leaders who actually have morals that mirror my own. I truly believe my family and I are safer because of this, which is especially important when you live in the most densely populated state in this country.
Slow and steady will win this race. It will do us no good health-wise or economy-wise to open too soon and too quickly, only to suffer greater than we already have in this first round of the coronavirus.
I feel lucky to live in New Jersey. Thank you, Gov. Murphy. Keep up the good work.
Fran Carroll, Hamilton Township, Mercer County
Driven, by data, out of Trenton
Gov. Phil Murphy just released his five-step plan to fully “reopen” New Jersey. Considering his abysmal treatment of the elderly in stopping the COVID-19 outbreak at long-term care facilities — leading to thousands of preventable deaths, I was surprised to see that Murphy left out Step 6: He gets fired next year as governor. Driven by the data, of course.
Michael Pickert, Livingston
See cost of our freedoms at the DMZ
The Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea reinforces the important lesson of Memorial Day: Freedom comes at a very high cost.
Some 70 years ago, on June 25, 1950, forces from northern Korea invaded the south. Consequently, led by the United States, a group of allies responded to the north's aggression.
By the time the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, about 37,000 U.S. service members had died to defend and secure freedom on the Korean peninsula. Their ultimate sacrifices were not in vain.
Today, South Korea stands as a testimony to their sacrifices. Without the hardships endured by U.S. military members heroically executing their duties, South Korea would have been denied the opportunity to emerge as a free nation.
Memorial Day is a time for solemnity to honor our fallen heroes. Over the years, we have corrupted this day of reverence into an extended holiday weekend.
On Memorial Day, we should remember the valuable lesson of the Korean War: Freedom is never free. We should take time to reflect on those brave individuals who died so we can continue to enjoy the blessings of liberty, peace and freedom.
John Di Genio, Jersey City
Too many cronies spoil the bus
A May 14 editorial, “Murphy’s Law”: Keep NJ Transit dysfuntional,” criticizes Gov. Phil Murphy for scuttling two nominees to the NJ Transit board, namely Mike Beson and Janna Chernetz.
While the editorial may be correct about Beson being a political crony, Chernetz shares the same credential. He he is a political crony of state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen. Further, I find your description of her as a “universally respected transit sage” and “having a decade of transit policy experience” coming far short of the credentials a good board member should possess.
If you read Weinstein’s bio, there is nothing about her transit experience as a rider. Her focus was principally with bicycle and pedestrian issues. In my mind’s eye, that puts her on almost equal footing as Beson, who got nominated simply because he’s connected to Murphy.
I personally know two individuals, David Peter Alan, chair of the Lackawanna Coalition, and Len Resto, president of New Jersey Association of Rail Passengers, who are more than qualified to sit on the NJ Transit board.
Alan bas been an “in the trenches” transit advocate for more than 40 years. He is also a contributing editor at Railway Age. Resto has an extensive backround in rail. I would venture to say both these individuals are more than qualified to serve on the board.
The problem: Neither is politically connected like Chernetz and Beson.
Stephen E. Thorpe, Winfield Park
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