Letter to the Editor: Council Disregards Constitution by Limiting Free Speech

The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted by Sheldon Bross, a Bloomingdale Board of Education member and Bloomingdale resident.

Dear Editor:

One tenet of Conservative philosophy with which all American patriots agree is that the Constitution is the foundation of our Nation and must be observed and respected. In the observance of the Constitution and the Rule of Law lies the greatness of this nation.

However, on the Bloomingdale Council, Linda Huntley and her followers have rewritten the Constitution, interpreting free speech as something which should take place, but not too much and not too often and only when the few of them deem it to be proper.

Council President Huntley and her followers, Shortman and Pituch, apparently disagree with our Founding Fathers and scores of Supreme Court Justices, both Republican and Democrat, who believe that one of the sacred tenets of our country and the very fiber that makes it strong is Freedom of Speech. They have passed a law restricting that sacred right. Apparently they could not handle the pressure of criticism by public opposition. As Harry Truman wisely said, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."

More specific on the subject of Freedom of Speech than the U.S. Constitution is the New Jersey Constitution: That Constitution in Article I states that "all political power is inherent in the people," not any government or any political party. The New Jersey Constitution says:

                  1. In Article I Paragraph 6 -"Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects... No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or in the press."

                  2.In Article I Paragraph 18, the New Jersey Constitution goes on to say "The people have the right freely to assemble together, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives, and to petition for redress of grievances."

I studied Constitutional Law in Law School and argued a number of Constitutional issues before the Courts of New Jersey. However, I really learned about Freedom of Speech at age six on the streets of Newark from my friend Joey. Joey said, "Sticks and Stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me."

Bravo to Mayor Dunleavy for standing WITH the people of Bloomingdale.

Perhaps Linda Huntley and the Bloomingdale Council should find Joey. Joey, at age six, seems to have understood the Constitution far better than Huntley and her fellow council members do now.

Sheldon Bross
Bloomingdale, New Jersey