The partial government shutdown is on all of our minds. Who is to blame? It is easy to say President Donald Trump, but I would suggest that the blame for not solving the immigration mess is squarely with the Congress.
Our senators and representatives bear responsibility for having their heads in the sand for years. It has been too easy to “kick the can down the road.” It is not the Republicans and it is not the Democrats who avoided making difficult and often unpopular votes. It is each elected legislator.
The list of problems caused by the shutdown ranges from garbage not being picked up to no pay for government workers. I don’t think we understand the depth of the issues or the long-range effects. Where is the outrage from members of Congress? They all should be making noise in the media and throughout the country. And they should be working on, and compromising on, the immigration issues. It is time for Congress to govern.
Jim Baum
Hanover
As a Cuban refugee, I know that Cuba’s abysmal record of human rights violations falls short of “inspirational” (“60 Years Later, Cuba Continues to Inspire,” Jan. 16). Its people continue to be the experiment of a regime that oppresses the true concept of socialism, rewarding only the pockets of the Castro family 60 years in the making.
Michael Fernandez
Thetford
For at least 20 years, the Royalton Memorial Library board of trustees has been trying to find a way to upgrade the library. It is very close to making the dream a reality.
First, the board began serious fundraising and grant applications. Both have been very successful. Then the voters of Royalton passed a bond for $750,000 for the library project. Next came the contentious meeting at which the Selectboard rejected the initial architectural plans. The overriding concern of the Selectboard was the difference between the $1.25 million price tag and the $750,000 bond.
The library board then spent months working with the architect and construction company to find a way to meet the $750,000 budget. Again, they were successful. Last week the board presented a revised project proposal to the Selectboard with the goal of getting confirmation from the Selectboard that they approve the progress and will release the bond funds when the final budget is presented in February.
Theron Manning, retired Gifford Hospital facilities director, who in his 40-year career oversaw Gifford Hospital’s many successful construction projects, explained the new proposal in great detail, outlining the cost-saving measures that could be taken without undermining the library’s ability to provide full accessibility as well as the space needed for books, technology and community programs. He then answered questions from the Selectboard.
Unfortunately, this was not enough to convince the Selectboard to approve the new plans.
The next step is the presentation of the final project budget in February. I encourage everyone to voice their support for the Royalton Memorial Library project. Talk to Selectboard members. If possible, attend the upcoming meeting in February.
Frances Flannery
Bethel
This is in response to the letter that Helena Binder wrote responding to Andy MacNeil’s letter (“An Important Lesson,” Jan. 14, and “Move ‘Doonesbury’ Out of the Comics,” Jan. 8).
Andy MacNeil is my little brother. I know siblings may not see eye to eye all the time but we are always there to stick up for one another. I have taken great offense to the letter that Helena Binder has written to my brother. Just to remind you, he is still a kid, 10 years old, and does not like seeing political cartoons that in his eyes are offensive. The letter that he wrote was just a polite question asking for the Valley News to move Doonesbury someplace else in the paper or take it out altogether.
I am thankful that we have the freedom to express alternate opinions, side by side. I remember that when I was his age I loved to read the comics. Doonesbury was my least favorite part of the comics because it was always so political. All my brother asked was for it to be moved somewhere else in the paper or taken out altogether.
Caleb MacNeil, 15
Thetford
This is in reference to Helena Binder’s response to my letter about Doonesbury (“An Important Lesson,” Jan. 14, and “Move ‘Doonesbury’ Out of the Comics,” Jan. 8).
Doonesbury doesn’t offend me every time. It offended me once when it said something like, “We have to keep those pesky immigrants out.” I am an immigrant and that offended me. I am not pesky and this hurt my heart. In Kazakhstan, there is no freedom of speech. I am using my freedom of voice to state my opinion. I still think Doonesbury is not appropriate for the Sunday comics section. It should be moved to another spot like all of the other days.
Andy MacNeil, 10
Thetford