As one of the older residents of the Upper Valley, I feel an obligation to point out a slightly missed point in John Gregg’s article last week (“Dartmouth Building Project to Start Soon,” Dec. 28).
He wrote that the Lewiston parking lot just across the Connecticut River from Hanover was so-called because of its proximity to the former Lewiston Railroad Station. What was missing is that both were so-called because they are located in what was once the village of Lewiston, Vt.
It should not be lost that, until the arrival of Interstate 91 in the late 1950s and 1960s, there was a small but thriving village between the Ledyard Bridge and the railroad tracks, complete with a grocery store owned by the Raycraft family (with the finest wine selection in the Upper Valley), a cider mill across the street on what is now Foley Point, and several family homes.
All were obliterated by the wider road apparently necessitated by the interstate.
Mike Choukas
Hanover
President Donald Trump promised that Mexico would pay for the wall. Since Mexico will not pay for it, there is no wall plan. We were left with empty promises. No wall.
No more bullying threats by Trump and no more of his blaming everyone else. No more blackmail by him and his cohorts against other political parties.
I am willing to have my taxes pay for the care of the children, sick and elderly of this country, as well as the government’s employees and infrastructure.
Let’s move on.
Honey Donegan
Quechee
Veterans in America do not receive the respect from American society for serving our country that they deserve. As a student who will be attending the Air Force Academy, I feel closely connected to this pressing concern in our country.
Suicide is claiming the lives of thousands of veterans. These veterans are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It is our responsibility as Americans to support these heroes. Lots of veterans in America are homeless. This is a pressing concern and scary to comprehend.
These people are brave enough to fight for my freedom and have earned my respect. I would do anything to see them striving in American society today. We need to come out and support veterans.
Mental health centers and homeless shelters are the beginning steps toward solving this crisis. Without our help, nothing can be done. As a society, let’s support these heroes, along with showing gratitude for their service.
Ethan Howell
Meriden
The writer is a student at Kimball Union Academy.
“Come on, it won’t hurt you if you try it once.” Believing this, young adults and children are being enticed into drugs and smuggling. This leads to serious national issues, and the government of the United States is not doing enough to prevent these evils.
The year 2017 was a dark era for America, when more than 72,000 people are estimated to have died from drug overdoses, according to Vox.com. In one year, drug overdoses killed more Americans than died in the Vietnam War.
This is a serious problem, and it is becoming worse as it affects teenagers, who suffer from stress and pressure from outsiders and feel like there is no way to relax. They want to find a way out, and that is why they use drugs. Soon, they become addicted.
As a student studying in the U.S., I want to share my concern, and I also want some advice as to what I and others can do to prevent this.
Harley Nguyen
Meriden
The writer is a student at Kimball Union Academy.
The death penalty is a failing, expensive policy that has been formed over time through bias and error. Since 1973, 158 innocent people have been released from death row. African-Americans make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population, but 42 percent of the people on death row are black.
Most states have begun to frown on the use of the death penalty, but many Southern states still use it as a way of executing individuals who are usually poor and racial minorities.
Since 2007, many states have abolished the use of the death penalty, but it is important to work to get the Southern states to halt the executions.
Many wrongful convictions are based on false accusations, misconduct by prosecutors and lack of legal representation.
It is urgent that we engage in a public conversation about the death penalty, and those who have lost their lives after being falsely accused.
Eloise Davis
Meriden
The writer is a student at Kimball Union Academy.