CJN Owner: Hold the hearings. Roll the heads.
An important message from the owner of Central Jersey Newswire. Our veterans deserved better than this.
The following is a piece by Mike De Robbio, Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Central Jersey Newswire. While we traditionally post that opinions expressed in op-eds are solely those of the author and not of CJN, this is not one of those instances. This is reflective of both.
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I’ll give Governor Murphy credit where it’s due: the Constitution was indeed above his paygrade.
Unfortunately, residents of New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes in Menlo Park and Paramus and their families felt the effects of it— that is, if their families were even allowed to attend their funeral.
This disgusting lack of leadership and reprehensible neglect of our nation’s heroes should sicken everyone. Every damn person who stood by and let this happen needs to be held accountable— both in this life and the next. While they may not have eternal fire swarming them on earth (yet), it is incumbent upon us to ensure the Legislature reconvene and hold hearings to figure out what went wrong.
Per the DOJ, [New Jersey’s] ongoing failure to implement basic infection control protocols and provide adequate medical care to the Veterans Homes’ residents violate[d] the constitutional rights of individuals who live there.
Let’s take a look at Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which the DOJ cites:
No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Not only is it there in black and white, it’s bold and italicized too (in the event that it’s still above someone’s paygrade).
From basic practices like handwashing and disinfecting areas to properly accounting admissions, discharges, and deaths, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (“DMAVA’) and their duly deputized CEO’s are directly responsible for these errors, per the report. The DOJ’s Press Release went further:
The inadequate infection control practices and inadequate medical care at the homes are compounded by a lack of effective management and oversight,” per the press release. Such deficiencies expose residents to uncontrolled, serious and deadly infections and have resulted in the veterans’ homes suffering among the highest number of resident deaths of all similarly sized facilities in the region.
The data certainly is not New Jersey’s side either.
The report found that deaths in Menlo Park rose to 247% compared to the same time period in 2018 while discharges to a hospital increased by 578%. Meanwhile, the death toll in Paramus increased by 179% and discharges to a hospital rose to 200% for the same time period as observed in Menlo Park.
The full report is attached below. I’m not going to bore you with any more facts and figures. It’s incumbent upon us to present you with these in their entirety and the DOJs report is an easy read, but a harrowing one.
This is where I need to pull back the veil between journalism and real life, because this is a matter that affects our veterans, their families, and frankly all of New Jersey who are now at risk of a negligent state government who’s inaction and lack of due diligence results in death.
In my capacity as a Catholic, a New Jerseyan, and the owner of Central Jersey Newswire (in that order)— I demand that the Legislature return to Trenton for a special session and investigate this tragedy of unspeakable, un-American shame. I urge anyone, regardless of political or ideological affiliation, to join with me.
A select committee between the Assembly and Senate should be established, veteran and family testimony should be heard, whistleblower testimony should be heard, and those in leadership need to be held to account.
Former Commissioner of Health Judith Perschilli should be investigated to the fullest extent possible. Throw in the DMAVA heads and their CEO’s for good measure.
Vin Gopal, who held the gavel as chairman of the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee as a freshman senator? Grill him. Perschilli’s negligence is rivaled only by his lack of leadership.
When he received the chairmanship, Gopal was quick to mention his legislative support for veterans, specifically a bill to extend to property tax deduction (a mere $250 dollars) and exemptions to residential units in continuing care retirement communities.
“With all of the sacrifices our veterans have made in the name of their country, they should not have to worry about how they will afford living arrangements,” Gopal said.
Thanks to people like Governor Murphy, Gopal, Perschilli, the DMAVA and its CEOS, they died in those living arrangements.
With the somber anniversary of September 11th only days away, I’m sure Gopal and and those with blood on their hands will attend events honoring those lost in the attacks and in the subsequent conflicts. Their words will be empty, only because their negligence towards our veterans made them so.
I think of the many who heeded our nation’s call to arms in the desperate moments of our country. My heart breaks for those who endured the unspeakable horrors of war made worse by the depravity of mankind.
I cry for those who returned home to their families as shells of themselves, or within a shell draped in a flag.
No goodbyes. No “I love you.” No closure. Murphy, Gopal, Perschilli, and the rest are responsible for these moments despite having the unique - indeed solemn— power to prevent it.
Our heroes sacrifices were not for nothing, and if anyone in Trenton has any political will, they will hold their feet to the fire now, in this life, so they at least have an opportunity to avoid a more intense, supernatural fire in the next.
Central Jersey Newswire and myself in my personal capacity stand ready to assist any veteran, veterans group, and their families and advocates with whatever they need— and it includes holding their enemies accountable.
Read the DOJ report below. If you or your business/organization are interested in helping veterans and their loved ones, please email press@centralnjwire.com for next steps on what we can do.
"In my capacity as a Catholic, a New Jerseyan, and the owner of Central Jersey Newswire (in that order)— I demand that the Legislature return to Trenton for a special session " Isn't demanding a special session on the basis of being a Catholic a violation of the separation clause of the First Amendment?