Letters to the Editor

I couldn't help but think as I flipped through page after page of the apparently endless Joe Paterno coverage that this incredible importance attached to football is what got Penn State in trouble in the first place ("Lion at rest," Monday). The coverage was overbearing and overkill. Whatever one thinks of Paterno, this mere football coach who stayed on far too long apparently was the equal of a Churchill or Kennedy in the minds of your editors. You've lost all perspective.

Mark Squires, Philadelphia

Krauthammer is a sore loser

Charles Krauthammer's beloved Republicans haven't even lost the presidential election yet, but he is already behaving like a sore loser ("Republicans self-destruct," Monday). He readily admits that the president "is a very smart man." However, "if he wins in November, that won't be the reason. It will be luck."

Krauthammer is nothing more than a verbal bully who has to resort to cheap shots more suited to an elementary school recess game of tag. Calling a potential November victory by President Obama mere luck is an insult to our electoral process and is offensive to all Americans who will exercise their right to vote for the person of their choosing. Krauthammer should be ashamed for behaving like a child who hasn't learned good sportsmanship.

Richard Feuer, Woodbury

Next steps on smart growth

New Jersey's program to redraw the state's sewer service areas so they support smart growth took a big hit when Gov. Christie signed a bill extending deadlines and creating loopholes ("Growing smarter in N.J.?" Monday). Now, the question is whether the Christie administration will focus earnestly on the wastewater rule's implementation, or favor applications for sprawl. The bill weakened the program, but its core provision - to focus growth near developed areas and away from environmentally sensitive ones - is still alive, albeit on life support.

While it won't be easy, updated sewer service area plans could be put into place this summer in most of the state. Otherwise, once the economy turns around, look for more sprawl that generates traffic, threatens water supplies, and drains vitality from cities, older suburbs, and other developed areas.

Chris Sturm, senior director of state policy, New Jersey Future, Trenton, csturm@njfuture.org