Dear Santa: I’ve been really good this year. Well, most of the time. The tree is full. The lights are bright. The stockings are all hung. Soon your sleigh will fly high, with Rudolf, his nose so bright. As you look down upon our small, rural town of Plainfield, I’m sure you can see Philip Read Memorial Library in your sight.
I want something really special this Christmas. My eyes are closed tight and I’m wishing with all my might. My Christmas wish is that the little town of Plainfield would be happy with Philip Read Memorial Library: one of the most beautiful million-dollar libraries. I would be so grateful if all the residents would appreciate what they already have and finally see one town, not two.
We have some Grinches who want to build another million-dollar library only 6.7 miles away. They are frivolously spending on more designs, more architects and building proposals, and no real reason for their goal, except to further increase town taxes and spend more money year after year. But it is very clear: The town residents already said no!
I know you have a great big list, Santa, so please don’t worry. You know we don’t need another library.
On Dasher and Dancer, on through the night. The reindeer will be so happy to return home from the flight: to one North Pole, not two.
Signed by one of the little elves in Plainfield who is thinking of all and the future of our small rural town.
P.S. I hope you like the homemade cookies and fresh milk. Please give the apples to the reindeer and have a safe trip. And note that all the treats are from our wonderful town of Plainfield.
VERNON BRASWELL
Plainfield
I am a resident of Tunbridge who does not agree with the people who have signed a petition for the Tunbridge School to separate from the First Branch Unified District.
I am especially ashamed that, in this time of our county’s division, we cannot set an example and work together for what is best for our children (“Initiatives tug district in opposite directions,” Nov. 25).
I personally feel that a one-school solution is best. I attended a two-town high school many years ago that brought amazing benefits to the students. This solution would fully unite both Tunbridge and Chelsea, consolidate facilities and allow funding for a better education. It’s just that simple.
The Tunbridge School Board has been asked many times to explore this option but has failed to come up with the budget to do so. The one-school solution seems to be the most sensible to me. I invite and encourage all Tunbridge residents to express their opinions to the School Board, and also in forums like the online Front Porch Forum or a letter to the editor.
Other compromise solutions are on the table and would at least bring the towns together and start to heal this divide, which I personally cannot understand. We need to do what is best for the children’s education first and the taxpayers, who are very heavily burdened at this point.
Therefore, I ask you to not support the separation of the Tunbridge and Chelsea schools.
MICHAEL SCHAEFER
Tunbridge
As small colleges go in Vermont, so goes Vermont Law School. It cannot sustain itself as a stand-alone graduate school. But neither is its future with the University of Vermont (“VLS officials mull future of campus,” Dec. 8).
If it is to survive, its future is in association with the Vermont State Colleges System, specifically as a school within Castleton University. As such, it can be expected to receive, and benefit from, state assistance, which it will not receive if it is swallowed by UVM.
The benefits will flow both ways, and as a result, the law school will be more likely to stay in South Royalton.
UVM is merely a cash cow for Chittenden County and the state. As part of it, Vermont Law School would simply disappear. In association with Castleton, in can continue to make a name for itself and attract students.
It is time for the trustees to secure the future of the law school, which is hanging by a thread — not six or nine months from now, after another study.
It is time for Vermont Law School to get on board with the plan to rescue and reorganize the state college system of Vermont.
TYLER P. HARWELL
Perkinsville
The writer is a 1981 graduate of Vermont Law School.
It is my considered opinion that every human being has a preexisting health condition that may be known or unknown.
Health insurance companies should not use preexisting conditions as leverage to deny people health insurance or to increase the cost of their health care premiums.
BEVERLY S. WEEKS
White River Junction