March 30 Letters to the Editor
As a former electoral opponent of Mayor Kelly Yaede, I must say that I always respected her and felt that she represented some semblance of moderation in her views. So it was with some surprise when I read of her endorsement of the charlatan and demagogue Donald Trump for President of the United States. I really didn't think that she would follow our synchophantic Governor over the cliff of dishonor to curry favor with Trump and go down the pathway of extremism and division, but unfortunately that seems to be case.
Additionally, it was disturbing to read in the same article, the words of former Democratic Councilman Vinnie Capodanno, who also spoke of Trump in a positive manner. Let me say unequivocally that any purported Democrat speaking as an apologist for Trump is not really a Democrat. It was some small comfort that a reasonable proportion of Mercer County Republicans said that they reject Trump and all the racism, bigotry and misogynistic behavior he stands for.
It is time for all right minded people in this country, Republican and Democrat alike, to take a stand against the authoritarian impulse that Trump embodies and preserve the dignity of the people of the United States of America.
John F. Kroschwitz II
Hamilton
For women's history month, the Mayor of Hamilton Township claimed herself the first female elected to that office. This is true in title. The record doesn't reflect that she has used this historic milestone to promote other women, however. In her first year, she dissolved The Advisory Commission on the Status of Women that had been productive under another township Mayor, Glen Gilmore. During Mayor Gilmore's term former Councilwoman Eileen P. Thornton organized and got sponsors for annual events at Kuser Mansion in March for Women's History Month and another in August at Sayen House and Gardens for Women's Equality Day. Women were invited to come to hear a guest speaker and enjoy refreshments provided by sponsors of the event. Now we celebrate women's history month with a Letter to the Editor from the Mayor (period).
Also, notable is that Ms. Yaede has not given a position in her Cabinet to a woman, nor has she appointed any women to lead or be part of one of the Township Boards or Commissions. For the most part the Mayor just says she is a woman and the first one to be elected in Hamilton as Mayor and will tell little girls they can grow up and be just like her. Well, so far I hope not exactly. Hopefully they will follow the lead of the other Councilwomen who advocated and showed support for others.Prior to being Mayor, during her time as a councilwoman, it appears there was no advocacy or support of Hamilton women on Boards or Commissions either. As a councilwoman, she could have recommended women she felt Mayor Bencievengo could consider for one of those positions. She was the "council liason" on the Women's Commission at that time, but never attended any of the meetings.
To her credit, and kudos to her, Councilwoman Iliana Schirmer has organized and hosted informational and educational seminars for the Spanish-speaking and other minority populations of Hamilton. One thing is for certain, we do have the first elected female Mayor of Hamilton.
JoAnne Bruno
Hamilton
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