As a former tenant in subsidized housing, I wanted to thank the Valley News for Thursday’s article on the housing project in Quechee (“In Quechee, Room to Grow,” Oct. 13). I appreciate the effort to humanize residents of subsidized housing through sharing Samantha Sharkey’s story.
In the current political climate it has often been appealing to look for scapegoats; the poor and those receiving government services are easy targets. It was good to read an article deviating from the tired talking points about “takers.” We are not takers; we are doing the best we can with very little. And there is often a good way forward, as Ms. Sharkey and I have each independently found. I am currently on disability and have lived in subsidized housing, but am pleased to be moving into my own house and pursuing further education in nursing. I am not ashamed to admit I receive assistance.
Investing in these services is not a bad gamble, despite what we might hear from the right — apart from being a vital safety net, these basic services assist us in improving our lives. First, through addressing immediate needs (such as stable housing and nutrition), and then by expanding access to training or careers — that might have otherwise been beyond our reach. Many of us using services use them temporarily; however, those who need them for longer also do not deserve scorn or judgment. Thank you for improving the tone of the discussion. I wish all those struggling to get by the very best.
Charlotte Rutz Hartford
Another Dartmouth Apology Needed
I was pleased to learn that the Sunday Valley News was named the 2016 New England Newspaper of the Year, and that one of the submissions was Jim Kenyon’s article on my friend Andy Harvard, a member of the Dartmouth Class of 1971, examining his firing from the college. I was reminded that in mid-September, Dartmouth was featured in an article on the Rennie Farm (“Dartmouth Apologizes for Rennie Farm Contamination,” Sept. 13) — as well as a follow-up on Oct. 12 (“Dartmouth: Rennie Farm Contamination Has Spread to Second Well”). Your newspaper reported that the college apologized to residents of the farm’s surrounding properties and is doing “the right thing” by not only apologizing but offering settlement.
“The right thing” is what many of us have long expected the college to do with regards to Andy’s situation. At the time of his firing, it was not known that he was suffering from younger-onset Alzheimer’s. This was discovered within nine months — a far shorter interval than applied in the Rennie Farm case.
It seems to me that given the Rennie Farm situation, it is not too late for Dartmouth to apologize to Andy and provide the meager compensation requested.
Jed Williamson Hanover
Cheaper Cameras Available
In Jim Kenyon’s Sept. 28 column, “Incomplete Picture,” we see that Lebanon Police Chief Richard Mello expects the first-year costs of a limited number of body cameras covering patrol staff to cost a minimum of $15,000. What’s the size of the patrol staff, 3,000 officers? I bet the kids in the local robotics club could easily donate some time cobbling together equipment that could help keep the staff in line at a far lower price.
Kevin McEvoy Leveret White River Junction
Trump Would Worsen Racial Strife
The police killings of an unarmed African-American in Tulsa and an allegedly armed black man in Charlotte were more senseless tragedies sparking riots in America’s cities. In both instances, these men were in parked vehicles, not suspected of any serious crimes, and made no threatening moves. While they leave behind grieving widows and families, how is it that the “pressure cooker” bomber in New York City was taken alive, after injuring 29 people and shooting two policemen?
Better police training and community outreach is the answer, not racial profiling at the point of a gun. These events have now entered the presidential debate. Candidate Trump says he will get “tough on crime” and renewed calls for racial profiling of Muslims after the latest bombing in New York City — as if the incarceration of a million black men for mainly drug-related and petty offenses isn’t getting tough enough and bears its own mark of racial profiling. How ironic, too, that Trump has made veiled threats that backers of the Second Amendment could “do something” to prevent Hillary Clinton’s Supreme Court nominees from “taking away our guns,” yet in Charlotte it was mere possession of a firearm that purportedly justified deadly use of force.
The last thing we need in the White House is Trump’s twisted logic of “shoot now and ask questions later” — especially when his hands could be on a nuclear trigger! It is one thing to have policemen who can’t figure out how to defuse simple confrontations with members of their own community. It is yet another to have an ill-informed, self-absorbed president whose snap judgment could in an instant destroy life on Earth as we know it. Don’t be “trumped” by Trump’s race-baiting accusations and false promises, with no plans to back them up. Hillary Clinton has spent her entire career promoting better opportunities for children, women, people of color and all Americans, not to mention traveling the world for 12 years as a first lady and secretary of state, giving her a unique and fully informed world view. Clinton has my vote — “Hands down!”
Doug Cogan Plainfield
Disappointment was the least of it upon seeing Maggie Hassan’s recent TV ad in which she opposes “President Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo.” In the ad Gov. Hassan supports maintaining this national disgrace as consistent with her “record of working to keep New Hampshire safe and secure.” What utter nonsense. Detaining suspects indefinitely without charge or trial is contrary to everything America purports to stand for. Moreover, Guantanamo is widely acknowledged as a primary recruiting tool for terrorists.
The Guantanamo prison camp was created in January 2002 during the administration of President George W. Bush. The offshore facility itself, and the treatment of its detainees, violate U.S. laws and treaties. I wrote to Hassan’s campaign headquarters more than a week ago conditioning my continued support for her U.S. Senate bid upon public retraction of her misguided position on Guantanamo. I’ve yet to receive a reply. In my opinion, Gov. Hassan stands to lose more votes than she’ll gain if she maintains her untenable stance.
John Karol Orford
Sen. John McCain has announced that if Hillary Clinton is elected president, the Republicans will block all appointments to the Supreme Court until there’s a new president after her. “I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were President, would put up.”
What a clear example of how the Republicans have blocked and obstructed so many efforts in the Congress, and now this. If you’re on the fence about voting, and don’t want to vote for either candidate, consider voting in more Democrats to the Senate — we can’t take four more years with the Supreme Court handicapped as it has been.
Anne Peyton South Strafford