VTel’s Plan Has Failed

After reading Norman Marshall’s letter (May 14), I felt compelled to respond with a hearty thank you for writing what I’ve been thinking since reading recent news articles about VTel. Common sense told many of us from the beginning that cell towers would not be the answer considering the terrain in rural Vermont. I felt that a chunk of the stimulus money should have been directed to ECFiber.

Time suggests that VTel has substantially failed with its plan, which is another black eye for our politicians supporting it. Meanwhile, ECFiber has worked through many challenges to move its plan forward without similar federal financial support.

Happily, ECFiber is now getting some financial support as a reward for its successes. As a satisfied ECFiber customer, I applaud its success and would encourage the politicians that supported VTel to 1) focus some attention in an audit of VTel and 2) to do what they can in support of ECFiber.

Ed Childs

Norwich

GMOs and Biased Science

I take pride in seeing more and more non-GMO labels on foods. Thank you, Vermont!

 An example:  Hershey is switching from GMO sugar beets to non-GMO sugar cane to be able to put a non-GMO label on its products.

The Valley News article May 18 on the National Academy of Sciences et al. report on GMO “safety” described the panel of experts as having “heavy duty credentials.” Well, try another source of information — Food and Water Watch. Their report “Under the Influence,” on the conflict of interest among this “expert panel of scientists,” states: “Academic researchers have shown that industry influence routinely leads to bias in science, including research on GMOs, where the biotechnology industry exercises outsized influence — far more than other stakeholders, such as industry critics or GMO opponents.”

Oh what a complicated web they weave, a web we must navigate on our quest for food. Thank our nonprofit sector’s news sources such as ProPublica and Truthout to counter the GMO industry’s biased science.  From the nonprofit perspective, it sure seems like David and Goliath.  

Anne Peyton

South Strafford

Join Thetford Run on Sunday

Please join us on Sunday for Judy’s Run/Walk on the Thetford Academy trail in Thetford. Start time is 10 a.m., but feel free to come any time before 1 p.m. You can bring the kids and furry friends, too! (Dog biscuits will be provided by Farm-Way of Bradford).

Judy Ozahowski taught special education at Thetford Academy for more than 28 years before losing her courageous battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with melanoma, an aggressive type of skin cancer. All donations will benefit the Melanoma Foundation of New England.

Information about melanoma as well as an opportunity to sign up for a free melanoma screening at DHMC will be available. In addition, music will be provided by Wild Roots and delicious grilled cheese sandwiches by Griddle & Groovy for those who cross the finish line. Please come and support a wonderful cause.

Betsy Warren

West Lebanon

The Enticements of Fashion

I am certainly not surprised about the dress code flap at Woodstock Union Middle School. The public, girls in particular, are constantly surrounded with invitations to dress in ways that are portrayed in advertising and entertainment. Take a look, for example, at the recent Sunday Valley News  Kohl’s advertising supplement. Page 2 includes a “Sharkbite hem” maxi dress as well as several temptingly fashionable T-shirts in inviting styles. Go  to the next page and you will find bras and bra tops.  Continue several pages to find camisoles and styles for juniors and even toddlers. The store also offered cash-back cards to tempt the buyer.

We and our daughters are surrounded by enticements to buy. I suggest that we do less giving-in to fashion pressure and more putting it off for later. We are, after all, supposed to teach our children the discipline of doing without.

Edith K. Summers

Hanover

Another Ballot Choice

It should be required that all presidential election ballots offer a choice labeled “None of the Above.” If this receives the most votes, we must start over and make better choices.

Michael L. Trimpi

Canaan