To the editor: Manitowoc alderman shows strong moral foundation in temporarily resigning seat

Here are this week’s letters to the editor of the Herald Times Reporter. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.

Alderman shows strong moral foundation

When it comes to upholding ethical standards, that is something lacking in modern politics. Recently, a situation occurred that showed one local man has the moral foundation to uphold such standards. That man is Ald. Brett Vanderkin.

Because of an error in a paralegal mistakenly filing an address change, Mr. Vanderkin temporarily resigned his aldermanic seat to maintain the integrity of the council, something I cannot see many officials today doing if they were in this situation.

Mr. Vanderkin single-handedly saved Manitowoc taxpayers $50,000 that would have otherwise been wasted on an investigation if he did not resign, which would have still found him living in his district.

Outside of that, I found Mr. Vanderkin’s resume to be the most impressive. His experience as a veteran, public safety officer and in customer service, which as an elected official is constituent service, and knowledge in IT, economics, political science, and the workings of current government and its projects made him the perfect candidate for an appointment to finish the rest of his term.

Mr. Vanderkin brings great value to the council. This is great for his constituents that they will continue to be represented by the man they voted for three times. Going forward, we know that Mr. Vanderkin will maintain the integrity of the council and continue to save taxpayers’ funding. This is great not just for the council, and not just for one district, but the community.

Brayden Myer

Manitowoc

Our country can’t return to rule of a person who wants to be a dictator

As we celebrate our independence from the tyranny of England, we need to concentrate on the threat our vote in November will have on returning to tyranny under Donald Trump.

He said he would be dictator for one day. This means he believes he can be and should leave us wondering what he will do if he likes it. He said he would be all about retribution. Isn’t this what dictators do? Like a dictator, he demands loyalty to him, not the country or the Constitution.

He organized efforts to remove fellow Republicans from office who wouldn’t “find the votes” to overturn the will of the people. He has also predicted a “bloodbath” if he doesn’t win the next election.

He wants voters to not only turn a blind eye to 34 felony convictions against him, but to increase support for him because of them. He wants us to ignore the findings of two Republican state grand juries that recommended he be indicted on 94 felonies after hearing the evidence against him.

He promises he will pardon all those involved in the insurrection at our Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including himself.

And let us not forget that he called our war dead “losers” and “suckers” as they fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

Our country cannot return to the rule of one person who admits to wanting to be a dictator.

Donald Vogt

Manitowoc

Marsy’s Law a vital tool for supporting victims, promoting justice

As a longtime resident of Manitowoc and a professional working in the trauma and mental health field, I feel very fortunate to live in a state that provides strong constitutional rights for crime victims known as Marsy’s Law.

In my role as a certified recovery coach and peer support specialist, I witness firsthand the lasting effects of trauma on victims of crime. This experience has underscored the necessity of a trauma-informed approach when helping a victim on the path to becoming a survivor.

Marsy's Law provides crucial protections for victims of crime, including ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect throughout the judicial process. One of its key provisions allows victims to be informed of all developments related to their case, giving them a voice and a sense of control during an often-overwhelming process. Further, it guarantees the right to be present and heard at public proceedings, fostering a sense of participation and justice.

But, rights mean nothing unless there is awareness — which makes educating our community about these rights so essential. Many people are unaware of the protections Marsy’s Law offers, and it’s our responsibility to ensure everyone knows their rights should they or someone they love become a victim of crime. By understanding and utilizing these rights, victims can feel more supported and empowered, which is a critical component of their healing process.

Marsy’s Law is not just a legal framework; it is a vital tool for supporting victims and promoting justice within our community.

Jami Lyn Smorynski

Manitowoc

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Our letters policy

Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to htrnews@htrnews.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc letters to the editor on alderman resigning, Trump, Marsy's Law