Local politics on River Road in Lyme are getting to be the same as what is occurring in Washington, D.C. — little regard for the truth, history or opposing opinions. I don’t understand why at a local level folks cannot be civil about disagreeing opinions. I am responding to recent letters that misconstrue facts.
I would like to see River Road reopened. The fact that I oppose the road being rerouted across my farmland and splitting my property in half, is being misconstrued as being in opposition to the road reopening. I have a fundamental right as the landowner to protect my interests and am simply exercising my rights in challenging the eminent domain process.
I prefer to see River Road fixed in place or, as originally proposed, a short bypass across the west edge of my property. I have never opposed the short bypass but have steadfastly opposed the long bypass throughout this process. If River Road can’t be fixed in place, one solution is crossing the Stadler property and then crossing the east border of my property joining East Thetford Road utilizing an old road bed.
The proponents of the long bypass state that because there was a vote at Town Meeting, that they have the absolute right to build the bypass. That is not correct. An election does not make something correct: The current president was elected, but it is obvious many oppose his policies. History is littered with many examples of votes being wrong. I have received much support for my position; many folks thought the issue was going to be decided by ballot or couldn’t attend the Town Meeting because of snowy weather.
I have said many times that I was working on obtaining the property with David Roby years before River Road was closed. My acquiring it was simply part of that process. This farmland is an integral part of our farm operation just down the street.
I hope to win the present eminent domain case so that we can start over and find a solution that works for all of us.
Arend Tensen
Lyme
Imagine living in the U.S. Virgin Islands following the devastation of the hurricanes. Many remain without electricity, water, food, medical attention and shelter.
I received a call from a friend who put her life on hold for three months to work on St. Croix and St. Thomas to help islanders and animals survive. Rains come daily; it is hot, humid. People are desperate. Animals wander aimlessly, injured, hungry, alone.
Our call was cut short. Two children arrived seeking help to remove “black mold” growing on their arms. Living conditions are life-threatening. Islanders and animals still need help.
Please consider contributing to Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society’s “Hurricane Relief” account at any Mascoma Bank. Funds will be used only to purchase life-saving supplies, medicines, food and water in Florida, then shipped to their destinations. Donations are tax deductible (leave your contact information). VVSA is a nonprofit incorporated in 1986. We will ask Congressman Peter Welch and Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders to help facilitate the final transportation step. Donations will be in responsible hands, assuring recipients receive the items.
These U.S. territories need our help. We can help our fellow human beings and animals survive. By making a donation in a loved one’s name, you’ll not only save a life, you’ll exemplify the true meaning of Christmas and Hanukkah.
Please send checks to: VVSA, P.O. Box 100, Bridgewater, 05034. In 2017, with your support, we continue to administer the Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP), paid for over 50 surgeries, funded medical attention, distributed tons of animal food and litter, rescued 24 cats from the street, investigated several reports of neglect of animals, made and distributed insulated cat boxes and organized a relief effort for hurricane victims with contributions of nearly $20,000.
Sue Skaskiw
VT Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society
Bridgewater
A proposed natural gas pipeline to serve Lebanon and Hanover is inching its way through the permit process. Initially the customer base will be small, but the intent is to serve large employers and residential customers as well. In western Vermont a natural gas pipeline that originates at the Canadian border has reached Middlebury and may someday go farther south. In the upper Midwest, resistance of the Standing Rock Sioux protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline became a cause celebre. Yet despite unresolved permit issues, oil flows through the pipe to a terminus at Pakota, Ill., and on through another pipeline to the Gulf Coast. And in western Canada, construction of the TransMountain expansion from Alberta across British Columbia will triple the amount of tar sands crude being shipped.
In the Upper Valley, Liberty Utilities has been less than forthright about the size of the system it intends to build. Liberty is owned by a huge out-of-state company, and it’s difficult to believe it would expend resources on a small pipeline to serve a seemingly tiny customer base. Clearly it has something else in mind. In Vermont, the pipeline builder is owned by Gaz Metro, a huge Canadian energy company whose goal, as is true of all large energy companies, is to sell fossil fuels to as many customers as possible.
What these pipelines have in common is that each dramatically increases energy distribution infrastructure. Fossil fuels delivered are fossil fuels burned, carbon released into the atmosphere and an ever increasing demand for more. As long as energy companies continue to make carbon consumption the easy option and we succumb to the belief that we can ignore environmental and societal costs, demand will increase and suppliers will find ways to bring product to market.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves whether this expanded infrastructure is really necessary. Shouldn’t we ask instead how much is enough and when will we, the consuming public, stop being complicit in their game?
Rep. Jim Masland, D-Vt.
Thetford Center