I very much enjoyed Forum contributor Gary W. Moore’s Oct. 27 letter (“In praise of the service stations of yore”) in which he reminisced about the automobile service stations of days gone by. (Remember gasoline for 30 cents a gallon? I could fill my VW tank for $3.) I would like to add a few more memories of downtown Lebanon from days past — 60 or 70 years ago.
Remember when the downtown mall was an extension of Hanover Street? It allowed traffic and parking. We had three drug stores, two hardware stores, Woolworth’s, several fine clothing stores, many grocery stores (First National, A&P) and many mom-and-pop stores.
Then came the tragic fire of June 19, 1964, which decimated much of the downtown area. Soon, the mall replaced the downtown district. In my opinion, to build the mall was a mistake. Many people agree with me.
But there are some very good things to say about Lebanon: We have one of the most beautiful central parks in New Hampshire, Colburn Park, which accommodates many activities — music, a nice children’s playground, a seasonal farmers market, a beautiful fountain (and no parking meters).
There is a magnificent, legitimate theater in City Hall. We have a great gym and smaller parks nearby. Let’s not forget the Rail Trail. We have an active senior center and free bus service. Good restaurants.
Lebanon is a good place to work and live. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center employs thousands of people. DHMC and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital are two of the best hospitals in the state. There are construction and building companies and many small businesses.
I moved back to Lebanon from Massachusetts about 20 years ago, after I retired. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I never regretted it.
BOB CATTABRIGA
West Lebanon
I find the cross currents that pervade the political scene bewildering and disturbing. Some examples:
We are willing to pay trillions of dollars abroad yet battle over trillions for investments at home. Valley News columnist Steve Nelson asserts that, “Future defense spending alone will be more than double the cost of the Build Back Better investments” (“We could do it, we just don’t want to,” Oct. 2).
Politicians isolate themselves in “information bubbles,” hearing only their side of an issue, which precludes finding common ground. This occurs in cases of clear national interest, whether it be infrastructure, racial inequities or closing the income gap. The Pew Research Center finds that about 80% of Americans are bothered by wealthy people and companies not paying their “fair share” of taxes, which is Americans’ No. 1 complaint about the tax code.
I find it puzzling that Republicans have resisted legislation that has wide popular support. For example, Senate Republicans have blocked the Democrats’ election overhaul bill, aimed at protecting and expanding voting rights and reforming campaign finance laws. In addition, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package and the Protecting the Right to Organize Act seem unlikely to succeed in the Senate because of a lack of Republican support.
Equally concerning is the reference by New Hampshire state Sens. Suzanne Prentiss and Becky Whitley to Republicans affirming freedom of speech and local control at all education levels while supporting measures that censor discussions on uncomfortable subjects like systemic racism and sexism. The senators state that, “it doesn’t seem to matter much what their constituents want” (“First-year senators get a lesson in partisan doublespeak,” July 16).
Politicians must respond to multiple constituencies. Most notable are strong lobbies that fund campaigns and impact the representatives to an extent that issues important to constituents become a secondary concern. As a result, citizen impact on legislation is practically negligible.
To counter this, citizens must become knowledgeable about legislation on both federal and state levels, and our legislators’ positions. In turn, we must be willing to assert our preferences.
BOB SCOBIE
West Lebanon
I can’t resist the urge to comment on several recent developments.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had the unpleasant task of announcing that his wife, Casey, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Predictably, many people, not just in Florida but all over America, offered prayers and support. Less predictably, many used the occasion as an opportunity to spew hatred. As I’ve read some of their vicious comments, I’ve come to realize where the actual haters are and who is truly compassionate.
Serving on a school board can be a thankless job, but there is the need for accountability, so when concerned parents voice their objections, even vociferously, there is no call to label this “domestic terrorism” and treat it as such. As I see how Attorney General Merrick Garland is mishandling legitimate dissent, I am gladder than ever that his nomination for the Supreme Court was passed over, even if the manner of doing it was considered controversial. Expressing concern about what their children are taught is both parents’ right and their responsibility.
The recent histrionics and unwarranted accusations toward Republican leadership by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer were an embarrassment to other Democrats, most notably Sen. Joe Manchin, who claimed that the outburst was “inappropriate at this time,” especially when directed at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who proffered a solution to the political gridlock that could have sent the nation into default due to inaction or malfeasance by the Democrats.
The legal wrangling over a Texas abortion law will escalate to the Supreme Court.
Just over 20 years ago, my wife and I were involved in a serious motor vehicle collision that was life-altering for us and gave me greater empathy and compassion for those with mobility restrictions, although my own were temporary. Recent events are bound to increase my empathy for those battling all types of cancer. Life’s too short and too precious to waste it hating people with whom we don’t agree, even as we oppose their position.
WILLIAM A. WITTIK
Hartford
Recent events on a Hollywood movie set bring this moment to mind after 70 years. Let me ask you to provide the moral.
During my second year at Stanford, I discovered I could “super” with the San Francisco Opera as a non-singing extra (a “supernumerary”). A $1 honorarium would just about cover gas for the 60-mile round-trip to “the city.” Finances aside, I could enjoy a ringside “seat” at one of the nation’s great opera companies.
That year I “super-ed” for two or three different operas. Puccini’s Tosca was one.
Although my Scottish grandmother often sang fragments of Vissi d’arte while preparing dinner, I knew little about opera. My job for the first act’s procession was to carry a cross or a banner. I was then free to watch the show from the wings.
In the final act, we are on the prison rooftop in Rome as execution day dawns. In his cell, condemned Mario Cavaradossi writes his final note to his lover, Floria Tosca. He sings his wrenching, e non ho amato mai tanto la vita (“And never have I loved life more”). Tosca arrives clutching the “safe passage” note she has pried from the murdered hand of the villainous Baron Scarpia. She waits for Mario’s “fake” execution to take place. The firing squad readies its weapons. The tension is exquisite.
At this moment I am separated from the action on the stage by a scenery “flat.” Mario is about three paces away, his back to the scenery “wall” behind which I stand. There is a blast as the guns are fired. I hear a whizzing “puff” as fragments of gun wadding or wax pierce the flat above the tenor’s head — and not far from my own. The stage manager, who like me has witnessed what could have been an eye-piercing catastrophe, is apoplectic.
Mario now lies dead. (The tenor playing his role is unhurt and is probably unaware of the danger he has narrowly escaped.) Audience attention is on Floria as she discovers the bloody truth. She dashes to the parapet and hurls herself to her death. Moments later, she takes her curtain calls with Mario.
Now, your moral for the story?
JIM HUGHES
West Fairlee