LETTERS
Mirror overlooks partisan gamesmanship
Allowing Councilwoman Elsie Foster-Dublin to speak publicly at the Highland Park Conservative Temple and Center-Congregation Anshe Emeth groundbreaking on May 4 constituted an inappropriate politicizing of a religious and community event.
What is conveniently not mentioned in The Mirror's May 16 front page article on the groundbreaking is the fact that within one month of that event, Foster-Dublin is up for re-election in the June Democratic primary.
That overlooked fact makes Foster-Dublin's speaking at the event political, a means of capitalizing on a religious community's celebration to gain the spotlight and focus it on herself.
This is not the first time Foster-Dublin has used a Temple function to promote her candidacy for public office. In 2002, then-U.S. Senator Corzine gave a talk at the Temple that Foster-Dublin inappropriately turned into a photo op, with her prominently sitting on the bima (platform where prayers are led) and taking pictures with Corzine in front of a large audience five weeks before a contested election.
Three years later, Rabbi Eliot Malomet actively campaigned for Foster-Dublin at a Park Town Outing held two days before another contested Democratic primary, an outright violation of the Temple's 501(c)3 tax exempt status, which prohibits groups so designated from actively taking part in political campaigns.
In Highland Park, as in the country as a whole, religion and politics need to remain separate. As the Temple enters this new phase in its history, we can only hope its leaders will keep the congregation free of local partisan politics.
-- Laurel Kornfeld
Highland Park
Cartoons strain bounds of probity
Let me start out by saying how much I appreciate this publication. Since moving to Highland Park in 2000, I often wondered what was happening behind the school walls. And now, in part, I know. I know that our school mascot is an owl, that we have an exceptional educational program and that our schools are doing an amazing job of not only building into our children's minds and bodies, but also their character.
With that being said, I must share my disappointment over some of the cartoons in this publication. We desire to have our children grow in character, but yet seem to neglect to uphold that same value for ourselves. I would hope everyone, especially our publication, would make every effort to not offend anyone based on race, religion or political view point. I feel that if the <italic>Highland Park Mirror</italic> is truly reflecting this wonderfully diverse community, then it should keep defamatory comics and remarks out of its pages.
-- Tammy Mittuch
Highland Park
Biomed engineer rebuts column’s claims
I have to disagree with a few comments made in the DIY Health column [April 23rd]. For one, sea salt and table salt are almost exactly the same chemically and there is no reason to use one or the other except for taste preference. In addition, table salt contains iodine, which is needed to maintain a healthy thyroid gland and is not in sea salt. Luckily iodine is in many other foods so unless you have a restrictive diet you most likely are getting sufficient iodine. However, too much salt can cause hypertension. You should consult your physician before making any diet changes. Secondly, undigested food matter does not get lodged in the colon. This is simply a myth.
-- Benjamin Griffel