Robert Catando longs for the days when the Woodbury hospital was independent, and known as Underwood-Memorial.
To the Editor:
When Inspira Health Network this past spring stated that its Woodbury hospital would lose money as long as it was located in the city, many of us knew that the final blow would come soon.
And it has. A Times editorial (Sept. 20) indicated that while emergency room services would still be available, all 329 beds and 1,100 of the 1,600 jobs would be lost in a plan to relocate inpatient services to a new Harrison Township building. I wonder how sick people who come in to the ER but need to be admitted to the hospital will cope.
Woodbury Councilman Dave Trovato was much too nice in his email comment touting the goodness of lnspira's plan. Councilman Bill Fleming was quite correct in finding extreme disappointment in lnspira's move. All of Woodbury and the surrounding area will be negatively affected, despite Inspira CEO John DiAngelo's statements to the contrary. He paints much too nice a picture.
I sometimes wish that an independent Underwood-Memorial had continued as our hospital, as it was for almost a century before the Inspira takeover. At least there would have been hospital beds and related staff staying in Woodbury.
I, and many others who depend on current local hospital services, are angry, disappointed, sad and very concerned about the future of lnspira in Woodbury. Perhaps "Uninspired" might be a more descriptive name for an entity that is doing a terrible disservice to the Gloucester County seat.
Build your hospital in Harrison, but keep what we now have in Woodbury. We've suffered enough with the downtown area. Concerned folks have tried hard to fill existing vacancies. Now we have to worry about North Woodbury, where the hospital is located. This move will drive that proverbial nail into the coffin a little deeper. And that's a travesty beyond words.
Robert B. Catando
West Deptford Township
Lawmaker spurns public worker unions
To the Editor:
It is not surprising to me that Republican First District Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi, who is running for re-election Nov.3, has not supported union workers, especially government union workers. This is evidenced by his votes on the Legislature's state budget and on public worker benefits.
After all, Fiocchi is controlled by Gov. Chris Christie in the way he speaks, thinks and votes, so he must think that turning his back on those who work in the state's prisons, developmental centers and veterans homes is now part of his job.
I accept that it is his personal prerogative to cast anti-union votes, but it's wrong for him to blow off those constituents who have called his office trying to get answers to questions about public-worker pension funding and health benefits, as well as those asking about minimum wages and unemployment benefits.
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Fiocchi should not shun hard-working people when they are only trying to ask questions, even if it's "governor's orders."
It is time that Fiocchi understood that selling his political soul does not give him the right to ignore his duties to the all of the hard-working people of his district.
Michael J. Makara
Branch President
Local 1040
Communications Workers of America
Mays Landing
Motherly style defines schhol board hopeful
To the Editor:
I have read a few letters endorsing Julie Yankanich for an unexpired term on the Washington Township school board, and I had to write to as well.
I have known Yankanich since I was a very young girl. Our families are members of the Bunker Hill Presbyterian Church. I am supporting her run because she has given so much to the community and because she is a great mother.
We both taught Vacation Bible School at Bunker Hill. Yankanich worked with the kindergarten and first-grade class that her children attended. I became her mother's helper and nanny and, over the years, we formed a friendship. No matter what, I know I can go to her for advice or a listening ear.
I am now an education student at Rowan University. I know the job market for teachers is a tough one, but Yankanich (who is an instructor at Camden County College) continues to reaffirm my choice. She feels that teaching is a form of service and should be a respected profession.
I would love to see her serving on the school board. As a 2013 graduate of Washington Township High School, I know the board of education hires faculty and brings many programs to the schools. I feel Julie Yankanich would watch out for the kids and bring her mothering style to all her decisions.
Natalie Drank
Washington Township
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