As many people in Lebanon are aware, I have been involved with several efforts over the years to preserve and enhance recreational assets in the city. The preservation of Eldridge Park, the lighting of Henry Emerton Field at Lebanon High School and the relocation of Lebanon Youth Baseball’s Smith Field in West Lebanon were all important to the young athletes of our community.
The current controversy over Campion Rink in West Lebanon is worthy of community attention. The proposal to turn the clock back almost 30 years on its hours of operation threatens the financial viability of the rink, and could force the nonprofit Hanover Improvement Society to cease operations if implemented. There are many organizations, including the area hockey and skating communities, that need a place to play. I hope that the Lebanon Zoning Board will acknowledge the recreational needs of the larger community as it reviews the current proposals for the future of Campion Rink.
Gary Mayo Lebanon
Among the too-many-to-list insufferable aspects of Donald Trump holding the highest executive office in our country, one of the most galling is this: We the people — taxpayers — would be paying this reality show swindler’s pension, health benefits and Secret Service details for the duration of his natural life, contributing to a Trump Presidential Library (imagine!), and myriad additional retirements perks.
And that’s after he lives four years rent-free with meals included, has all-expenses-paid security details accompanying him and close family wherever they choose to travel, along with a hefty salary complete with health care.
After Trump’s repeated statements of taking pride in paying as few taxes as possible from his own pocket in spite of his claimed wealth, hiding behind the lame excuse of being audited for not revealing his own tax history and reveling in tying up other people’s money as they fight his litigious behaviors, I feel ill and resentful when I envision his self-satisfied smirk as he might, one day, smugly wave from Marine One.
Trump is a shallow egoist whose life goal appears to be manipulating and using others for his self-serving ambitions. This hypocrite with deficient judgment and specious communication skills is unqualified to be president of the United States of America if for no other reason than he’s a proven charlatan.
Lynn McRae Lyme Center
I would like to inquire why staff writer Tris Wykes felt it necessary to print the following in Saturday’s article about the Lebanon High School football game: “The Raiders’ student section included some bare-chested supporters. One of those young men had the phrase “RIP Fleury” painted upon his skin, a presumed reference to the transfer of standout lineman Michael Fleury from Lebanon to New Hampton prep school this fall.”
I find it hard to believe that the very same newspaper that lauded Michael’s accomplishments over the last two years would now condone behavior such as this. Michael has done a lot for both Lebanon High School and the community of Lebanon at large, putting them on the map nationally with his endless hours of hard work, which landed him on the U.S. National Football Team (the only member of that team from all of New England, by the way). Michael transferred to New Hampton School because he felt that this was the appropriate next step to take on his journey toward securing his college future, a move which his family endorsed.
Michael wanted to better himself as a student and an athlete (which is wrong how?), and for the community that he has represented so well to turn its back on him like this is nothing short of an embarrassment for the community itself and further reinforces his decision to transfer. To have the Valley News glamorize this “RIP” statement (adolescent misjudgment, to put it kindly) in print leads me to question if the Valley News truly supports values and morals consistent with proper sportsmanship and respect.
Michael is a true leader even at his young age, and one would think that the local newspaper would want to promote a young man who is taking charge of his life and steering his own ship rather than sensationalize negativity. This is exactly what is wrong with the media today, and it is a shame that a small-town local newspaper feels it needs to follow the national trend.
On behalf of our entire family, we believe that the Valley News and the Lebanon High School community owe Michael an apology and should be thanking him for what he has done over the last two years and should wish him well on his new adventure. This would be the proper small-town New England gesture to show.
Jeff Fleury Hanover
Your choice to lead the page with the headline, “Clinton Rankles Trump Backers; Nominee Regrets Calling Voters Deplorables,” in the Sept. 11 Sunday Valley News was, for me, a questionable choice. It seems regrettable that after months of extraordinary comments from Donald Trump, that you chose to make Clinton’s comments a front-page headline particularly while a story on the anniversary of 9/11 ran on the bottom of the page. Headlines set the tone and often people don’t read beyond the headline.
Perhaps this one can be excused because when Clinton says something improper it is rare so it is headline worthy and while Trump comes out with outrageous statements constantly, his remarks are no longer headline worthy.
A case in point is Trump’s remarks made on the same day as Clinton’s mentioned later in the article that he would shoot Iranian boats out of the water if they made improper gestures toward American vessels. These remarks, on top of those he made earlier in the week at the VA forum, are totally irresponsible. At least Clinton apologized for her remarks, and her running mate eloquently explained the essence of what she meant by her remarks later in the article. Clinton’s remarks at the fundraiser that softened her stance were also included later.
The 9/11 attack and its aftermath have proven that who is president of this country makes an enormous difference as to not only our safety at home and abroad, but to every aspect of our everyday lives. We all have a stake, including the press, in making responsible decisions affecting this election which is why we should all read below the headlines, research candidates’ positions, and continuously listen to their words. As voters we owe each other and our nation that much.
Wilda Pelton Springfield, Vt.
I was surprised and dismayed to read about Rep. Sarah Buxton’s role in allowing the Strafford disparities that Jim Kenyon described in his piece in the Sunday Valley News: “A Matter of Choice.” I would like to ask Buxton to rewrite her record and forward new legislation that undoes the wrong that enacted with her harmful Stafford exemption legislation.
Times are finally beginning to change and no longer are a few able to siphon public tax funds for use at private schools and out-of-state institutions that would otherwise be made available to public schools that are for all, and accommodate all, including the disabled and disadvantaged, without rightful public outrage and outcry. Please find your conscience and undo the damage that your legislation does to those most in need.
Many children and families in Vermont towns around the Upper Valley are depending on the few remaining tuitioning towns to come to their senses, realize that school choice is damaging our social fabric, that it disenfranchises friends and neighbors and weakens the region and the state as a whole. Take responsibility, be a leader and do the right thing for children, the public and all who are in need.
Jason Gaddis Windsor
I would like to know why the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department continues to allow the abominably cruel practice of trapping wild animals — such as bobcats, foxes, otters, muskrats and beavers, to name just a few species. Trapped animals react to the instant pain by frantically pulling against the trap in a desperate attempt to free themselves; in the process they suffer from fractures, ripped tendons, edema, blood loss, amputations and tooth and mouth damage (from chewing and biting at the trap).
While these animals are immobilized they are subject to predation by other animals, hypothermia, frostbite and dehydration. In the case of animals who live in and by the water, they usually die by being drowned in an underwater trap. How have we not evolved beyond this indiscriminate and cruel practice of wildlife capture?
In a world where more and more people want to see an end to trapping, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is now considering a trapper’s request to extend the trapping season for bobcats and otters. There is also a petition to extend the trap check time for muskrat traps from 24 hours to 72 hours. It seems we are moving backward with respect to animal welfare to satisfy a hobby that is enjoyed by only 0.15 percent of the population.
The meeting to discuss this trapper’s petition is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. at Buck Lake in Woodbury, Vt. If you would like to fight this petition, please try to attend on the above date and voice your objections. If it is not possible for you to be there in person, please try and find the time to write or email and voice your opposition. You can find details on how to do this at protectourwildlifevt.org.
Rosalind Finn South Strafford