I’m grateful to Susan Mooney and Joanne Conroy for their Opinion piece (“Closing APD’s Beloved Birthing Center,” Feb. 14). It recognizes how many in the community will grieve over this closing, while clearly and carefully setting forth the demographics and economics behind the decision.
I understand with my mind, but I am one of the grievers –– I had my youngest daughter at APD’s Birthing Center in 1983, such a welcome change from the big city hospital (Boston’s Beth Israel) where I had my oldest daughter. And I have been back to the APD Birthing Center for the birth of two of my grandchildren, welcomed with such warmth by the nurses who applauded three generations of our family gathering afterward in the comfortable, peaceful, almost homelike birthing room. And that’s exactly why it was such a wonderful place for giving birth –– it was homelike enough to make a family feel comfortable and relaxed.
Of course we’re all grateful to have a high-tech hospital if there is any danger of complications in a birth, but for so many of us, birthing is pretty normal, and walking into a hospital makes us feel … well, kind of sick. It was wonderful to have an alternative, a homey little hospital where we were safe, well cared for and feeling relaxed, and not like hospital patients (one might argue that that alone makes the birthing process easier).
So, thanks for carefully explaining why it has to be, and for recognizing how sad we are about it.
Anne Donaghy
Meriden
As a 2017 graduate of Lebanon School District, I believe that the modernization of Lebanon High School, Hanover Street School and Mount Lebanon School is something that is important. As a student, I took classes in all the different school buildings, including the schools that have since been closed. All the suggested changes will be very good for our schools.
Assemblies are difficult at Lebanon High School. If you don’t get called down in the first few classes, the chances are that you will end up sitting on the floor. Things will be improved by adding an auditorium that can hold the whole student body, along with assemblies, drama club shows, concerts and more.
Also, as part of the high school modernization, the new front entrance will be handicap accessible, which it is not now. Anyone who can’t go up the stairs has to go to the side of the building and use the entrance to Senior Square, while most of the handicap parking is in the front of the building. This must change.
With Hanover Street School, adding a new entrance will be good. To be let into the school now you have to be buzzed in, but it’s not as safe as it should be. Also, by separating the high school and Hanover Street School parking lot, it will be safer for the students and families being dropped off or picked up.
Although I have heard some downsides to the plan, such as the rise in taxes, I feel like it is really important for the newer students and current students to get the best and safest education possible. I hope this will be voted for and the new additions be built in the future.
Mariha Therrien
Lebanon
I believe the Lebanon schools could stand upgrading and an overhaul. But I certainly do not believe that the high school, or any other school in the system, needs a 650-seat auditorium.
How many years now has such a proposal been put on the ballot and been defeated, only to do the same thing next time? I think it is much more important to upgrade the heating and plumbing systems, make adequate room, and just clean up the buildings. Seems like they just built a new middle school and have to make adjustments already for inadequate parking. Don’t all of these things cost money?
I know as a homeowner there are always things that have to be repaired or replaced and sometimes I might like something a little fancier or bigger, but the reality is we need to stay within our budget. So please think, this auditorium could be a real hardship for many of our taxpayers. Let’s be realistic about it and vote no on Article 2 on March 13.
Elinor Hogan-Downing
Lebanon
American children are being gunned down in their schools on an almost daily basis. The shooting spree in Florida has claimed at least 17 lives. Meanwhile, here in New Hampshire, our governor and legislators dither over how to make it easier for anyone with a grudge to take a gun into my children’s school.
Perhaps it is acceptable to you, Gov. Sununu, for schoolchildren to be casualties in the Republican war on sensible gun control, but it is not acceptable to me. Pass laws that protect children, not their would-be killers.
Ellen Rockmore
Hanover