Fear of Chemicals

To the Editor:

Charlotte Metcalf’s letter (Valley News, April 24) prompts me to elaborate both on the chemicals used in power-line spraying and chemical toxicity in general. 

I never claimed that glyphosate is “harmless,” but as herbicides go, it and the other organic (carbon-based) chemicals used by Green Mountain Power possess exceptionally low toxicity to humans and animals. For the record, since 1970 I have endeavored via the Valley News — through nearly 40 letters and columns — to bring science into the discussion about both anthropogenic and natural chemicals in our environment. Unfortunately, chemophobia is a pervasive and omnipresent affliction in our society. All chemicals can be toxic, depending on the dose (“The Dose Makes the Poison,” Paracelsus, 16th century). Drinking too much water has been fatal in recent years (e.g., the Chico State fraternity hazing incident in 2005, and the Sacramento radio station contest in 2007). Table salt was used to kill a child in 2014, fatal caffeine overdoses (from energy drinks) are numerous, and too much oxygen from enriched air (“nitrox”) at depth will kill a scuba diver.  

The Green Mountain Power herbicides are highly and selectively toxic to plants, but, like carbon-based natural products, they are biodegradable and pose no threat to humans, animals and other wildlife if used properly.

Gordon W. Gribble

The Dartmouth Professor of Chemistry

Don’t Miss Co-op Voting Deadline

Don’t forget that Saturday at 9 p.m. is the deadline to cast your votes for Co-op board members. I hope the “silent majority” will be sure to speak up (through your vote) in a year when some candidates have strong opinions on particular issues. I encourage you to vote for Kevin Birdsey, Dana Cook Grossman, Edwin Howes and Benoit Roisin — Kevin for the perspective he brings about young people, Dana for her long experience with governance, Edwin for his insights on the evolution of Co-ops to meet changing times, and Benoit for a broad view of the bottom line. 

Concerned About the Co-op already has voices on the board and I’m concerned that the outcome of this election could be a voting block focused on a particular agenda. Without squelching debate, I’m casting my vote for Kevin, Dana, Edwin and Benoit to make sure that discussions incorporate broader perspectives. If you feel the same concern, don’t let yourself be the “silent majority.” Vote!

 Lizann Peyton

Norwich

Much Is Right With the Co-op

My wife and I are Co-op members. Our farm, Blue Ox Farm, supplies the Co-op Food Stores with certified organic produce. From my view, the Co-op has been very good to its employees, members, the community and to local business, in fact, has promoted all of the cooperative principles. I understand that there are grievances with and imperfections in any organization, the Co-op included. Over the years, the Co-op has changed for the better, and I hope and understand that it will continue to evolve.

I have tried to understand what the “Concerned about the Coop” (CATC) group stands for in detail. In my view, the CATC is not offering any real solutions to any real problems.

In my view, the Hanover Cooperative Society as a whole works well, and provides a good model for doing business as a cooperative. Minor changes may be needed at times; however, major change is not needed at the Co-op nor are they warranted at this time. I strongly encourage all to vote for Kevin Birdsey, Dana Cook Grossman, Edwin Howes and Benoit Roisin by April 30.

Steven Fulton

Enfield

The Banks Aren’t Too Big

In your editorial of April 21, “Breaking Up Big Banks” you quote, and agree, with Sen. Bernie Sanders who said that in the 2008 financial crisis big banks “too big to fail pose such a danger to the economy that they cannot be tolerated.”

Well, actually the bank that failed and triggered the 2008 financial crisis, Lehman Brothers, an investment bank, was not anywhere near the size of the big banks. It was the fourth largest investment bank and quite small in comparison to the large commercial banks — Citibank, J.P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo — that not only didn’t fail, but helped by buying failing smaller banks.

The problem is not in the size of the banks but in the capital that they have to cover losses. In the case of Lehman Brothers, it was so highly leveraged — I don’t remember the exact number, but the borrowing was over 10 times what it had in assets to cover those loans. That made it certain that if any of its speculative investment, such as those in mortgage derivatives went south, which they did, it would have no choice but to declare bankruptcy. 

Dodd-Frank has addressed this problem by strengthening the capital requirements of most banks. This already has been accomplished and along with the “living will” process that is still ongoing, we should prevent at least what happened in 2008. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank legislation includes the “Volker amendment” that eliminates most banks’ ability to speculate in derivatives.

What happened in 2008 was caused by large and not-so-large banks, by the insurance company AIG and by the credit agencies, to name some, but not all, responsible. Why large banks should be broken up because of the 2008 financial meltdown is a mystery known only to Sen. Sanders. I must admit, however, that the sound bite that “big banks are bad and have to be broken up” is great in an election campaign.

David Coleman

Quechee

Help the Haven Help Others

For more than 35 years, the Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction has provided temporary shelter and educational programming for homeless families and adults as well as food and clothing to anyone in need. 

The Haven is open 365 days a year and never charges for any of its services. It serves more than 13,500 people each year from our community. The Haven makes this a better world — every hour of every day.

I’d like to thank to all those kind and generous folks who support the charities of their choice, including the Upper Valley Haven. The Haven offers a variety of ways we can help — from volunteering at its food shelf, to donations of food or money, or participating in the many fun and uplifting fundraising events put on each year. For those who like sampling great food, online registration is still open at uppervalleyhaven.org for the Haven’s 10th Annual Chefs of the Valley fundraising event on Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hanover Inn. And for  golfers, Friday, Aug. 26 will be the Haven’s 6th Annual Golf Tournament at Montcalm Golf Club. Check the Haven’s website for ways you can get involved, or call 802-295-6500. 

Ray Hogue

Chefs of the Valley Committee Member

Hanover