Hypocrisy toward veterans

On Aug. 22, the Vernon Township Council read a proclamation honoring the returning military personnel who are residents of Vernon Township from their tours of duty.

On Aug. 24, the petition the local VFW Post #8441 handed in to the town, was a petition to appeal to the council, to waive the fee of $20,992.50. Vernon registered voters, by signing this petition, have made it clear to the governing body that they want to have the provision made via their tax monies. The town council knows that the number of registered voters at the last official count was 15,352. The total amount needed for the veterans to hook up to the sewers is $20,992.50, which when divided by the number of voters, equals approximately $1.42 per registered voter.

Many returning younger Veterans, both male and female, need a place of companionship. Maybe not today, but eventually perhaps some time in the future. The doors of the V.F.W. should also be kept open for the community as a gathering place for weekend concerts, special events, and family celebrations.

Clearly, on one hand, the council honors the vets, and behave like they are all so patriotic. On the other hand, three council members are ignoring the petition. The local sewer authority, made up of Vernon residents, has not responded to the veterans request of a waiver.

Council members Dan Kadish and Jean Murphy support this petition process, and have publically done so. The other three council members have not. I don’t think that I have ever observed such hypocrisy by Councilmen Lynch, Rizzuto, and Wetzel, or for that matter, in any community as a New Jersey native. The petition needs to go on the ballot for a public vote.

Mary Ellen Vichiconti
Vernon Township