It is with a heavy heart that I announce my separation from Lambert Auto. For nearly 30 years I have enjoyed helping customers with their purchase of a new vehicle and I’m sorry to have it come to an end. I hope that I had a refreshing impact on this business. I can’t come close to expressing my gratitude to all my customers and I couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye.
I want to make it clear that the decision to leave was my own. It was the most difficult decision that I have ever had to make. I understand that people will want to know why. It’s simply that management and I have different philosophies.
For three decades I got to be a footnote or a snapshot in thousands of people’s lives, and I have to say I am so honored and grateful. Thank you.
MARK PERRY
Claremont
Yang’s ideas worth listening to
I’ve never been a door knocker, a phone banker, a volunteer, or an early adopter in politics. But when I learned about Andrew Yang several months ago, his clear identification of America’s most important problems, and his unique — but feasible — solutions caught my eye.
I am a cancer physician specializing in blood diseases. I think Yang’s message resonates with me because of his analysis of the state of America. He uses real data from credible sources, not fake news. I design and run clinical trials and research studies to develop new treatments for cancer. This type of work requires an understanding of the data, and often creative solutions that are data-driven. A small discovery in one area is often the spark for the next blockbuster cure.
Take, for example, Yang’s proposal of a Freedom Dividend, also known as universal basic income. It is not a new concept: It is adopted from countries like Finland and our state of Alaska. Putting money in the hands of the Americans will be an investment in people.
Health care is also an important issue for me. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, where I have worked for the last 10 years, has been experimenting with different models for health care coverage, payment structures and an electronic medical record. We can learn from local hospitals and governments, and pick winning strategies. It’s how we design clinical trials in medicine: We test different treatments and pick the winner to bring forward.
I had the opportunity to have a beer with Yang during his campaign stop in December. I discovered we went to the same academic summer camp together in high school, and we have mutual friends in common. I learned we both share values in helping underserved communities through our work. He is also a family man, which is important to me. He spent a half-hour before sitting down for beers to talk to his wife, Evelyn. He is a real, genuine person, not a machine.
I will continue to knock on doors and meet community members, so if you see me around, I hope you welcome me into your home.
FREDERICK LANSIGAN
Hanover
Meals on Wheels delivers surprise
I am writing to express my gratitude to the Sullivan County home-delivered meals program. I am especially thankful for all the drivers, cooks and other people who work behind the scenes to make the program possible. They provide delicious meals every week to this “old geezer” and to many others throughout the county. They have all — including my faithful driver, Jack — been wonderfully patient in catering to my vegetarian needs.
I also wish to thank the mysterious “Secret Santa” who sent along a stocking full of gifts, including a toy reindeer shepherding a flock of toy chicks. Happy New Year to all!
JAMES ROMER
Unity
Thank you,
Claremont voters
On Thursday, the new Claremont City Council will be sworn into office and I would like to thank all the voters in Claremont’s Ward II who voted for me. Thank you for taking the time to vote because it is essential to our democracy.
I am also thankful to live in Claremont because it has so much to offer. We may have some challenges, but the assets of the city are greater than the liabilities.
I will soon have a city-issued email address, which will be available on Claremont’s website, and I encourage voters to send me their thoughts.
JIM CONTOIS
Claremont