In this day and age of politicians and media distorting the facts and disparaging others, it was discouraging to read Jim Kenyon’s attack on town officials in Thetford (“Missing management,” Aug. 30). From mocking comparisons to Norwich to distorting the facts about salary and town management (explained in numerous town bulletin board posts by the Selectboard chair) to his own interpretation of what might have happened during executive sessions, Kenyon attempts to portray the board as secretive and uncaring about the public. His portrayal of the hiring process is way off base.
As a longtime educator and former trustee at Thetford Academy, I have been involved in numerous hiring searches and have never been involved in a hiring search where the candidates for a position were announced until the finalist were selected.
I welcome critique and questioning of the actions of our public servants, but I find it offensive, insensitive, hurtful and harmful when it is done in such a mean-spirited way.
GENE KADISH
East Thetford
It’s high time that the Valley News exercise some quality control to protect its readers from Jim Kenyon’s glaring deficiencies as a journalist (“Missing management,” Aug. 30). That his investigative work is lazy and unprofessionally snarky is hard enough to put up with, but the impact of his constant “gotcha” negativity, especially toward local and town politics, is ultimately damaging to the spirit of civic engagement. For that I hold the Valley News accountable.
Of course, Thetford has its share of community tensions, but I continue to be impressed every day with how much people care about how the town runs, how much dialogue goes back and forth about even minor issues, and how hard volunteer members of various critical boards and committees work to improve the quality of our personal lives. I don’t always agree, but I am always grateful.
Community-led towns with citizens who don’t always see eye to eye but manage to stick together is what will save this country from itself. The malicious enjoyment that Kenyon gets from wandering about the Upper Valley — either exacerbating conflicts or just making specious allegations in hopes of creating scandals where none exist — is the scandal. I request that the Valley News either supervise Jim Kenyon’s work or replace him with a more thoughtful columnist with nuance, personal integrity and compassion.
JOETTE HAYASHIGAWA
Thetford Center
To this retired newspaper reporter living in Thetford, the Selectboard’s letter attacking Jim Kenyon’s column reeks of hypocrisy (“Kenyon missed details in Thetford,” Sept. 1).
Why weren’t we taxpayers entitled to the clarifications that Kenyon allegedly leaked about our flawed Selectboard, who, it seems, had to be dragged into the sunlight to concede details of what so many of us suspected? It took Kenyon to explain earlier, for example, why our popular police chief, Mike Evans, was ambushed by Selectboard bureaucrats.
I agree that Thetford and its villages have unique identities, which are not well-served by the patchwork of excuses. I hope that my newly arrived property tax bill, which would gag an elephant, might finance a little more candor.
CHRISTOPHER S. WREN
Thetford
I noticed Christine Rovinski-Wagner’s letter in the Sunday Valley News about having her political signs stolen (“In West Windsor, signs of the times,” Aug. 30). My experience is somewhat different, but certainly as malicious. Twice someone (or perhaps two someones) has driven across my lawn in Lebanon to flatten first four of my political yard signs, and then, two weeks later, another eight or nine signs, flattening the lot.
I have neighbors who festoon their yards with signs from another party, and these are never damaged. This is the lowest form of partisan politics. We had heard this was a partisan matter principally from one party. We all have a right as Americans to display our political preferences in speech, in letters to the editor and in yard signs.
Be a decent American and leave everyone’s yard signs alone. I stand with Rovinski-Wagner in voicing my concern and objection to such practices. They are not the way Americans do things.
ROBERT L. WELSCH
Lebanon
Glazed doughnuts, birdseed, garbage — the human markers of Mink’s life, some, if not all, that undoubtedly took her too soon. Oh yes, she was beautiful, courageous — even enchanting. And the best of mothers, leaving behind sons and daughters who, with any luck, will carry on her legacy of regality and perseverance.
Seen often about town or its outskirts, this black bear became a local symbol of confidence and strength, agility and authority. Her fearless return journey from the edge of Canada to Hanover became her trademark, the vehicle by which she stood her ground. Through woods, across highways and rivers, in the rain and snow, Mink never gave up her drive to return home. And so, her arrival a year later brought more press, fame and fortune. After all, it not only gave her the comfort of a familiar place, but also three new cubs.
She thrived for a while, photographed and videotaped by local residents who shared their delight in having her home again. But it was not to last. In a busy, bustling area, she was bound to face danger — similar, ironically, to the one she unwittingly tackled as a youngster, nibbling on human food handed to her on a daily basis, assuring a lifelong pattern of need that she would pass to at least one set of cubs.
In essence, this magnificent creature was a hostage of human culture, her ability to survive bombarded by the people who ultimately were the conduit of her fate. She became a zoo-like curiosity, even though she was simply a bear whose life sadly had morphed to adhere to the mores of her human neighbors. Had this not happened, would she still be with us today?
VIRGINIA SHAW DEAN
Woodstock
Once again, the Claremont Fire Department responded rapidly to save lives. It took 2 minutes to respond and 12 minutes to bring the Aug. 19 fire under control. This city is blessed to have fire personnel who are so professional. I want to thank the fire department for its excellent work. Again, this fire was near other homes, and the high standard of performance by fire personnel prevented other property loss and loss of life. I deeply regret the injuries and the impact to the families, neighborhoods and the firefighters. The selfless act of putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the citizens of Claremont is to be commended. Thank you.
JIM CONTOIS
Claremont
The writer represents Ward II on the Claremont City Council.
The reason for this letter is that, during the televised Republican National Convention, Maria Ryan can be seen sitting next to Rudy Giuliani. This wouldn’t normally be newsworthy — except for the fact that Ryan happens to be the CEO of Cottage Hospital here in Woodsville and she can plainly be seen ignoring social-distancing guidelines. As a high-ranking representative of the hospital, it is appalling for her to be maskless. On her public Facebook page, you can see many more photos she posted of her similarly fraternizing with others, also maskless.
This is not a political virus. How she votes is of no consequence to me. However, our community has so far been safer than other areas in New Hampshire and the United States, and to represent a hospital and be seen as taking the pandemic as a non-issue is irresponsible. Ryan must be held to a high standard. The cavalier attitude is detrimental to our community and the staff of the hospital. How dare she.
ALEX LAGARTO
Woodsville
Now, from the White House, it’s the Republican National Convention coronavirus-free fear-a-thon, performed live in front of a mask-free super-spreader throng. With a hobbled nation facing 200,000 dead, some might enjoy the pretense that the pandemic is over. The president presiding over shouting fans does not send the message that masks and social distancing are still needed. What pandemic?
As hundreds die of COVID-19 daily, New Hampshire rally supporters boo an aide requesting they follow the state’s guidelines to protect one another. Is that a surprise when a nation’s highest, but heedless, officeholder models such behavior? While he is protected by twice-daily coronavirus-tests, we 4% of the globe’s populace have 22% of its infections.
Is it any wonder?
In decades past, the world’s most respected public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sent out anti-infection warriors to diagnose and control Legionnaire’s Disease, HIV and multiple other scourges. Health professionals never imagined that the CDC would alter science-based guidelines for political considerations. True, we also never imagined an administration abandoning institutional norms and ethical guardrails, as we witness today.
Our national anthem has become a requiem for shared truths. Many of us grew up glimpsing a better future, with the narrative that the melding of our diverse origins is what makes America strong. Amid this pandemic, when the economy is reeling, we are presented with distractions of a nation on fire — not because of fuel thrown on the flames by those in power, of course, but because of those Democrats who threaten our existence. Demonizing fellow citizens is not a great formula to rebuild America, but rather a tool to “Make America Fearful Again!” And now, fireworks please.
KENNETH DOLKART
Grantham
I live in Vermont. I work in Vermont also. According to Worldometer, there were three new cases of COVID-19 in Vermont on Aug. 18. That’s out of a population of approximately 624,000. Due to that very alarming statistic, it’s clear that we all must keep our distance, wear masks at all times and wash and sanitize our hands constantly. We should probably lock down the state — close all businesses and schools — maybe permanently. We are in grave danger!
This is shaping up to be one of the craziest mass hysterias ever.
NEIL MELIMENT
Norwich
Thank you, Valley News, for publishing the Bloomberg Opinion editorial “U.S. must do better on coronavirus testing,” (Aug. 27), recognizing the value of faster, cheaper saliva tests. Although they are less sensitive than polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screens using nasal or throat swabs, they do pick up people with high viral loads who are likely the most contagious, even if they have no symptoms. These tests could be rolled out quickly and cheaply and would be immensely valuable in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Initial vaccines are unlikely to be completely protective, but until they are, cheap and rapid testing will make it safe to reopen our communities and our schools.
This has been known for months. Search the internet for “coronavirus saliva testing” for more information.
DANIEL GRAUBERT
Etna
Sometimes we slip into a conversation with colleagues and friends where the subject matter is the frightening atmosphere of our country’s political situation. Often we find our disapproval of our country’s policies and practices to be so serious that we are unable to find a middle path through which our views can be filtered to our friends.
The grip on the electorate of the dominant Republican Party seems strong and dangerous with very little leverage available. When we think we have made a telling point in our discussions, the answer that frequently comes back is: What are you going to do about it? Could voting be enough?
Any other steps we might take to remedy the situation are at least somewhat physically dangerous. The possibility of healing the divisions within the country seems almost out of reach. What are the available options for nontrivial action by individuals?
DAVID and SHIRLEY MONTGOMERY
Hanover
The decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to reject the proposed Pebble Mine project and its horrific impact on Alaska’s Bristol Bay is a promising, but it could be a temporary victory. The project’s owner, a Canadian corporation, has 90 days to respond with a new plan, and we can be sure it will.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the proposed open-pit gold and copper mine would produce 10 billion tons of mining waste that would threaten the region’s Indigenous population and ecosystems and would emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases.
We must tell Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler to save Bristol Bay and veto the Pebble Mine project permanently. Tell him that the Army Corps of Engineers recently rejected the project because the proposed mine adjoins the most productive wild salmon river habitat remaining in the world.
The Yup’ik, Dena’ina, and Alutiiq tribes, which have depended on Bristol Bay’s renowned salmon fishery for generations, have had to spend decades fighting to shut down the project. According to the NRDC, the watershed supplies half the world’s sockeye salmon, and the fishery supports 14,000 jobs and generates $1.5 billion annually.
Let’s use our voices to pressure the EPA to permanently shut down the Pebble Mine project that would devastate Bristol Bay and the Indigenous communities that live there. Email r10bristolbay@epa.gov or call 206-553-0040.
CAROL PERERA WEINGEIST
Hanover
If a pale-skinned person purchases stamps featuring Black artists, is it “virtue signaling,” the public expression of opinions meant only to show one’s own good character? Or can it be more?
Is it virtue signaling, or the power of the consumer, to make purchases that contribute to United States Postal Service data indicating that continued investment in stamps featuring Black artists, created by Black artists, makes good business sense? Is it virtue signaling if I purchased stamps celebrating Marvin Gaye that evoke memories of my father and me listening to his music?
Would it have been virtue signaling if I had purchased stamps featuring Susan B. Anthony? How about the American flag?
Alone, buying stamps celebrating Black artists won’t drive meaningful change. But with racism alive and well in the systems and citizens that make up this country, doesn’t every stamp count?
KATHRYN KENNEDY
White River Junction