In Lebanon, matters of general civic concern go unaddressed

So much is lovely up here, both in physical form and commonly encountered courtesy and kindness, that the failures are starkly made visible.

It’s increasingly clear to me that in any matters of general civic concern, but outside of the personal interests and vanities of members of the Lebanon City Council, there’s zero official desire to address them.

When people of decent education, comfortable lives and the capacity to take action when called upon routinely decline to do so, it’s hard not to think the worst of them. This is a good place to live for some, but exceedingly hard for many others, and in between are the daily challenges posed by a city whose infrastructure and social amenities would be recognizable to any time-traveler from the 19th century (or, in some instances, somewhat earlier).

I myself am getting a little tired that those in positions of influence and, I assume, at least some moderate power must be repeatedly implored to do the right thing. That’s wrong. Morally, ethically and for the most practical of reasons, which needn’t be listed because they’re universally acknowledged to be true.

SARAH CRYSL AKHTAR

Lebanon

Column drew an apt connection

In his recent Perspectives column, Jonathan Stableford draws an apt connection between the commitments of two societies — one New World indigenous, the other modern Parisian — to restore and maintain their cultural icons across the “ravages of time” (“Like Notre Dame, Taos Pueblo is another 13th-century icon of survival,” May 19). This excellent essay has a significant error. The Mission San Geronimo church was destroyed in 1847, not 1937. The Mexican War, also known as the Mexican-American War, occurred in 1846-48. A lot happened between the two nations in those 90 years, but there was not another war.

San Geronimo (in English, St. Jerome) was rebuilt in 1850. Interestingly, this is the fourth church. The three previous structures were destroyed during conflict and then rebuilt, which surely adds emphasis to Stableford’s message.

GERRY PLUMMER

Norwich

Is it happening to us?

I was inspired by the words attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoeller and inscribed on a memorial at the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston. Niemoeller’s statement ends, “Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.” The sentiment is relevant today:

First he came for high ideals and language, civility, sympathy and empathy, and I did not speak out — because I was in shock and believed it would pass.

Then he came for the free press, journalists, writers of conscience and integrity, and I did not speak out — because I was thinking, “How can an American president espouse such beliefs?”

Then he came for the rule of law, our independent judiciary, human rights, and I did not speak out — because I was afraid.

Then he came for those who espouse the American way of trust, honesty, character and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States.

Who will speak out, with authority, to stop this slow but persistent dissolution of the founding character of our republic — and maybe the republic itself?

LENITA ROBBINS

Hanover

Here’s why student loans cost so much

We have been hearing a lot of talk from all the “wannabes” running for president promising to get to the bottom of the high cost of student loans. The biggest noisemakers are Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who are promising college students the world.

If I recall correctly, Warren in her run for Senate was going to get to the bottom of the problem but, as we can see, nothing was done. It’s amazing what they will promise for a vote. I am surprised that in all this time the news media didn’t pick that up. College students are vulnerable and the “wannabes” know it.

I have spoken with several hard-working college students from average and middle-class families and they, as well as I, know what the problem is: too many professors making too much money for doing too little work. If we could get them to work 40 hours a week like everyone else, we could get rid of half the professors and student loans would drop. I’ll bet you will never hear that from Warren or Sanders. That would kill too many votes.

LOUIS RUSSO

Enfield

Thanks for book sale support

The 58th annual Five Colleges Book Sale has again succeeded in bringing delight and good deals to book lovers throughout New England, New York and Canada. To the hundreds of people who donated high-quality books and media, the dealers and patrons who shopped at the sale, and the many volunteers who sorted, packed, hauled and priced more than 40,000 books for the sale, we say, thank you. Special thanks to our generous community partners. The book sale is truly a collaborative community event.

The net proceeds from the sale benefit New Hampshire and Vermont students attending Mount Holyoke, Simmons, Smith, Vassar and Wellesley colleges.

We are encouraged by both the support of new volunteers and the widespread community response as we continue this thriving Upper Valley institution and tradition. For more information, visit five-collegesbooksale.org. We look forward to seeing you in 2020.

SARAH BIGGS

Norwich

The writer is chair of the Five Colleges Book Sale.