Glenn Baker writes that a "welcome home" event is worthwhile and overdue.
To the Editor:
Concerning Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly's column, "N.J. Vietnam vets aren't to be forgotten," on April 18:
A "Welcome Home" celebration scheduled for 2 p.m. May 7 at City Hall is a very noble and worthy gesture by Kelly and the City of Bridgeton.
The Vietnam War was a divisive war fought by a divided nation. As President Jimmy Carter said in 1979 when proclaiming May 29-June 3 as Vietnam Veterans Week - and, I'm paraphrasing -- we should remember honestly and, hopefully with some humility, those brave men and women who accepted their citizens' responsibility at a time when it was more popular not to do so.
Growing up in the hard scrabble of South Jersey and as a 1963 Bridgeton High School graduate, going to Canada or Australia was not an option for me.
So, after almost 50 years, it is good to hear "Welcome Home from Vietnam."
Glenn L. Baker
Magnolia
Note: The writer served in the 1st Air Cavalry Division and was wounded twice during his Vietnam service.
Salem freeholder bid may not need do-over
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Charlotte Coleman's recent letter, "In Salem County, again pick the real winner," which concerns my 2016 freeholder candidacy and supports my likely fall opponent, Mellisa DeCastro:
Yes, I did amend my petition to note that I am running for a two-year unexpired term.m Anyone who files a petition has three days to amend it under state law. I did not know when submitting my petition that I had to specify "unexpired term." Nor was I informed of this at filing time by the clerk; it was the newspaper that reached out to me.
Concerning the 2015 freeholder election (in which a judge declared a seat vacant because of a tie between Democrat Hassler and Republican DeCastro), a state appellate court will hear my new motions in late May. I am asking the court to open all provisional ballots that are remaining. I believe the voters should decide the election, not appointed bureaucrats.
At this time, the contested 2015 seat is vacant. If all the ballots are counted, there will be a clear winner and voters will have spoken. There will be no need for am unexpired-term race in November. We should all want the people to feel that their votes count. We also need to assure the young people of Salem County that they are being listened to, and that the system works and is not corrupt.
I received my education in Salem County through the community college level. I've worked in and raised my daughter in the county, and have been giving back to the county all my life. I look forward to serving the people if I am fortunate enough to win the election.
Charles Hassler
Salem
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