On behalf of the Lebanon School Board, I would like to invite the public to share thoughts regarding our School Modernization Plan during the public comment part of our meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Lebanon Middle School cafeteria. Following public comment, which is at the beginning of the meeting, Marinace Architects will present for a second time preliminary conceptual drawings with associated costs. They address recurring concerns brought to the board related to our facilities. The board intends to have further discussion Wednesday to determine possible next steps.
This is an exciting time for us as a community to discuss our current needs as well as future visions for our facilities. We are fortunate to have such sturdy buildings that have been well cared for over the years. The main question before us now as a school district is, are we able to provide the best education possible within these structures that were built over 50 years ago, or do we think they are in need of revitalization to meet our current needs as well as carry us into the future? And what is our financial capacity to support this?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts and invite you to stay and listen to our board discussion.
Jeff Peavey, School Board Chair
Lebanon
Once again I must thank the staff of the Valley News wholeheartedly for the two op-eds in the Oct. 16 paper.
So heartening was Jordan Taylor’s excellent history of our previous forays into with what the president calls “fake news,” and for E.J. Dionne’s inspiring and moving “The Reformers Will Get Their Chance Again,” in particular regarding the “We the People Democracy Reform Act of 2016” by Rep. David Price, D-N.C., and Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. I urge all readers who missed these pieces to read the Oct. 16 paper if still in their homes, or at your local library.
Emily Dickinson wrote that “hope is the thing with feathers.” We need this hope now.
Suzanne Dubroff
Hanover
I was recently featured in the Valley News for my situation with the Vermont Department of Health. A parent wishing to opt out of just one vaccine for their child must sign a religious exemption form acknowledging that they have read evidence-based educational material provided by the Vermont Department of Health. I found that statements made in the educational material were not supported by currently available evidence.
I wrote to the Department of Health detailing my concerns and requested references. They refused to supply references and my children were sent a “letter of exclusion” from school.
I find it troubling that the department arrived at a different conclusion than the Institute of Medicine in regards to one of the IOM’s own reports. Vermont Health Department educational material states, “An analysis of more than 1,000 research articles on vaccine safety was published in 2011 by the IOM. Their results revealed that vaccines are not free from side effects or adverse events, but most are very rare or mild…” The 2011 IOM report referenced states in its conclusion on page 629, “The committee does not make conclusions about how frequently adverse events occur. … This report is not intended to answer the question ‘Are vaccines safe?’ ” The Vermont Health Department continues on with the statement, “When the majority of people in a community are immunized, protection is shared with those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated.” This is misleading, considering the fact that many of the vaccines recommended for school, including those for polio, diphtheria and whooping cough, do not prevent transmission. Others such as tetanus and hepatitis B are not transmissible in the classroom.
What began as a noble effort to save lives changed in 1986 when Congress granted vaccine manufacturers complete liability protection. Since 1986, the vaccine schedule has more than tripled. Parents who feel that children receive too many vaccines too soon or who understand that their child is at zero risk of contracting or transmitting hepatitis B in the classroom should not be marginalized for declining pharmaceutical products from a highly profitable liability-free industry and should not have their concerns dismissed by the Department of Health.
Naomi Malik
Woodstock
On Nov. 7, voters in Cornish, Grantham, Plainfield and Springfield will choose between a Republican and Democrat to fill a vacant House seat. I strongly encourage voters not to use party label as selection shorthand, instead, to vote for Margaret Drye (a Republican from Plainfield) because of her lifelong record of service and integrity.
For many years, Margaret Drye has provided extraordinary service to her hometown and to the entire Upper Valley in roles ranging from coordinating foreign exchange student placements, EMT volunteer, Red Cross teacher, membership on town committees and as the longest-serving board member and president of the Hanover Food Co-op stores. She has repeatedly demonstrated her diligence, loving energy, wisdom and intelligence.
Voters have an unusual opportunity to bring these essential qualities to the New Hampshire Legislature. Please vote for Margaret Drye.
Jim Rubens
Etna
The writer is a former Republican state senator.