Library To Host Documentary, Environmental Debate

For many residents, there is no better place to continue their learning than the Howell Public Library. Recent events on shipwrecks and bullying have seen large crowds, and their newest event will focus on environmental struggles throughout the world.

On Tuesday from 7 to 8:45 p.m., the library, in conjunction with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, will be presenting a documentary film entitled, “The Last Ghost of War.” This film, narrated by Academy Award winning actor Kevin Kline, follows a class action lawsuit brought against 32 American companies who contributed to the development of the “Agent Orange” chemical that was dropped over Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

This incident actually has local ties, as some of the materials found in Agent Orange were produced by the New Jersey Down Chemical Company. The film mainly takes a look at how the chemicals were spread over the nation through “Operation Ranch Hand,” a deforestation program that killed many forms of wildlife in the region. According to the makers of the film, the distribution of these chemicals actually harmed the rural food sources of Vietnam as well.

This 57-minute documentary, directed by Janet Gardener, also takes a look at who is responsible for the distribution of Agent Orange in a moral and corporate manner. Both sides of the issue are discussed within the film, as the legal options are weighed on the side of the companies that manufactured the Agent Orange, as well as the Vietnamese affected by the Agent Orange spreading.

At the conclusion of the screening of this documentary, Dr. Frank Popper, a professor at the Bloustein School of Public Policy and Planning at Rutgers University, as well as a guest professor, will lead a discussion from Princeton University.

This event will actually be part of a series at the library, with another discussion led by Popper to be held at the library on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 8:45 p.m.

Howell Township Public Library Director Dianne Reith said she was excited to have Popper bring this documentary to the library, and is hopeful it will lead to a lively discussion on the matter.

“This should be a great event, and we will have reading materials to disperse immediately following the event,” she said. “We are hopeful many of the individuals who come to this event will come back next month in the continuation of the series.”

The Howell Public Library is located at 318 Old Tavern Road. For more information on the events at the library, please call 732-938-2300.