John Palimeno writes that politicians should have fought harder to keep a full-service Inspira hospital in the Gloucester County seat.
To the Editor:
We were recently informed that Inspira Health Network will move its Woodbury inpatient hospital to Mullica Hill.
I don't believe this was a surprise to Woodbury officials. I had heard this move was in the making for more than a year. I suspect state Senate President Stephen Sweeney also knew about this for a long time. Every local politician did.
Why build another hospital when these "urgent care" walk-in facilities are popping up all over the place?
This move will devistate Woodbury. Despite statements that Inspira will keep some services at the current site, there is no way that that this hospital will stay open if they build another one. It's just not economical enough.
I grew up in Woodbury and it has always been a great town. Everything has been tried to promote it. It could be another Haddonfield if things were done right. An Inspira cutback or closure would only kill many of the businesses that now survive. If the hospital goes, so does the town.
All the polticians care about is getting their pictures taken and talking about all the good things that they are doing. Is there a solution to this Inspira situation? I'm not sure, but there should be alternatives.
John Palimeno
Deptford Township
Not smiley about all the Miley
To the Editor:
I found it very disconcerting to have opened a recent copy of the South Jersey Times print edition to find a so-called "Trending Page" with photographs of Miley Cyrus.
Miley Cyrus performing at the IHeartRadio Music Village in Las Vegas, Nev. Cyrus was featured again in the Times with her outlandish outfits after she hosted the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30.
I don't want to watch her on TV and I shouldn't have to have to view her antics in my newspaper.
Where have all the nice things gone?
Ethel Ashenfelter
Glassboro
McGreevey's lifetime health benefit 'idiotic'
To the Editor:
I had to consult my map to see where Hudson County is located, because they seem to be a a lot crazier up there than down where I live.
Does anyone else find it hard to believe that a county executive and mayor were gullible enough to think four months of work performed recently by former Gov. Jim McGreevey warranted lifetime health benefits available to other Hudson County employees? (McGreevey served as a county attorney for four months while developing a prisoner re-entry center. He also qualified for a state pension this month after 27 years of public employment.)
In many parts of the country, citizens would be storming the county seat with torches blazing to fight this idiotic health-benefit decision made by government officials out to gouge and cheat the taxpayers they supposedly serve.
MORE: Author of pension bill remains frustrated
Since New Jersey already has the highest property taxes in the country, is it any wonder that politicians cavalierly nod their magic wands and give themselves fat-cat pensions and benefits? If these clowns worked for corporate America, they would be in for a big surprise.
I can't wait for the day I see New Jersey in my rear-view mirror as I cross a bridge to move elsewhere.
Robert Duncan
Newfield
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