Praise for the Prosecution

The citizens of Windsor County are fortunate to have David Cahill as county prosecutor. Mr. Cahill distinguished himself as assistant prosecutor and, only recently appointed to the new post, worked tirelessly as co-counsel throughout the Perkins murder trial.

Mr. Cahill fully understood the critical importance of presenting an accurate timeline to the jury. He also had the courage to agree to admission into evidence exculpatory writing allegedly by the defendant’s deceased husband. This enabled the accused to put on a full and fair defense with all the favorable evidence at her disposal. It also mitigates against years of appeals and possible reversal on grounds that key evidence was excluded by the trial judge. It bodes well for finality on behalf of the victims.

In an age when we often read of “prosecutor misconduct,” we are greatly benefited by having a state’s attorney who conducts himself and his office with integrity and wisdom.

David Reeves

New London

A Development Alternative

We have followed the discussion regarding the New Vista Foundation plans for Sharon and other towns as reported in the Valley News on March 24 and 27. We understand how upset and fearful people may be when first hearing of this project. Reading the posts online, it occurred to us that the alternative is simple. Buy the properties. The lands in Sharon are for sale. Our farm on Fay Brook Road in Sharon is for sale and within the boundaries of the proposed development.

As of yet we have not received any offers for our farm. People other than New Vista Foundation can buy any of the properties and keep them from development.

Randall and Mary Lee Smyth

Sharon

State of Emergency

There are a lot of ways leaders can help in a crisis. They can provide emotional support. They can bring attention and awareness to a situation. Or they can use their positions to provide actual help and resources.

When it comes to the very real drug crisis in New Hampshire, our state officials should treat it with the seriousness and urgency the situation requires. I support Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas’ call for a state of emergency, and I don’t understand why Gov. Maggie Hassan is refusing to take this step. I’d like to see more cooperation between Gov. Hassan and other state officials with local leaders who are on the front lines, because they know best what is needed to respond to this urgent problem.

This is a time for action and leadership, and I hope that the governor will start listening to local leaders and work with them to get them the resources we need.

Virginia Crowe

Piermont

Sanders Is Superior

There are a lot of things that politicians should do, but they don’t. They were elected to represent their constituents, and these informed voters are quite vocal about the issues. Elected politicians who do not listen to those who voted for them will certainly not get their vote again (nor mine). This is happening all over the country, and it is just one more example of how the system is failing the people.

Superdelegates should respect the will of the people and support the candidate who garnered the most votes within their district. Bernie Sanders has earned many of these delegates. Bernie can be trusted to respect the concerns of the electorate. 

Phoebe Schwarz

East Thetford

My Co-op Candidates

I am very concerned about the future of the Hanover Co-op, but I do not endorse the campaign by the group calling itself “Concerned About the Co-op,” which hopes to gain a majority on the Co-op’s board of directors in this month’s elections.

CATC formed after a single event: a personnel incident in 2014, second-hand accounts of which impressed a number of people as not what they expect from “our Co-op” in termination procedures. CATC protests escalated to criticizing other Co-op policies and some top-level managers, and although state laws require that personnel issues be kept private between employees and employers, this hasn’t stopped CATC from steady, vocal criticism of the Co-op, echoed by columnist Jim Kenyon’s flame-fanning of all things Hanover.

As a Co-op member since 1974 and an employee since 2009, the shoppers I hear from universally enjoy shopping at the Co-op. The vast majority among about 25,000 members appreciate the Co-op’s unique and important role in the economy and social fabric of the Upper Valley, and have no desire to see changes in its operation.

The Co-op board needs people with experience in sizable businesses, plus deep familiarity with how the Co-op serves multiple groups: members, employees, local farmers and vendors, non-member shoppers and seniors who depend on deliveries and shopping assistance. Single-issue, “agenda” candidates lacking such background will need too much time and coaching to learn how this major Upper Valley business operates to be effective board members.

I support these board candidates: Kevin Birdsey, a Co-op floor supervisor highly respected by those who work with and under him; Dana Grossman, who brings decades of managerial experience, Co-op involvement and perspective; Ed Howes, a 22-year employee and former board member; and incumbent director Benoit Roisin, whose sophisticated contributions to board and committee discussions I have come to respect highly.

There are five openings on the board, but I will only vote for the four I mention. One other candidate will fill a one-year seat, but I have no preference.

You can read the candidates’ statements at www.mycoopvote.org.

Online and in-store voting by paper ballot will run throughout April.

Michael Whitman

Lyme

Peace Process Fails

This is in response to Hilary Ryder’s March 25 Forum letter (“A Biased Presentation”). Ms. Ryder complains that Ann Chandler’s account of her travels in the Palestine was biased in favor of the Palestinians. It is easy to make an argument for one’s favorite side in the Israel/Palestine conflict by picking a one-sided selection of actual incidents. Ann Chandler makes no secret of the fact that she favors the Palestinians, and it is obvious from Ms. Ryder’s comments that she favors Israel.

Decades of efforts to resolve the Israel/Palestine conflict through the peace process have been unsuccessful, and it is hard to see how peace can be achieved. Getting the two sides to stop killing each other may be a start, but it will not stop the festering problem of a Palestinian population living under military occupation.

Until recently, the hoped-for solution was to create a separate Palestinian state. Unfortunately, continued building of Israeli settlements (about 130 so far), has left no area available for a viable Palestinian state. An occupation can be ended by bringing the troops home. Settlements are very hard to remove.

Another solution is a single state for Israelis and Palestinians. That option does not appeal to Israelis. The two populations are of similar size, and Palestinians have much higher birth rates. Within a few years, Jews would be in a minority in such a state.

The remaining options are not attractive. They appear to be indefinite military occupation, possibly leading to some form of colonial status for Palestinians — or the Palestinians could live under apartheid in a unified Israel/Palestine territory. Neither option will be acceptable to the Palestinians, and we can expect the present bloody conflict to continue. Continuing negotiations under the peace process has bought Israel time to consolidate its settlement of the occupied areas, without any benefit to Palestinians. It is unlikely that future negotiations will be productive if they continue to be brokered by a country that has been a strong and consistent supporter of Israel.

Alv Elvestad

Enfield