John Carroll’s analogy comparing Putin’s brutish treatment of Ukraine to that of a small boy being beaten by a thug who must be stopped by a brave single person tackling and disarming him was excellent. It was lacking only in the fact that instead of a gun in his belt, the perpetrator in this instance is about to pull the plug on a grenade that could immolate everyone in the vicinity (“A parable for our president,” March 25).
It seems to me that President Biden and the members of NATO have gotten it about right. The only way to deal with this existential situation is by convincing Putin that it is in his own best interest and his vision for Russia to stop now.
Susan Spademan
Wilder
Hanover is considering a vote on a leash law for dogs in its town. While some people may feel threatened by a dog that is not restrained, education about dog behavior may be more helpful.
A dog’s natural behavior is to stay away from perceived threats by avoiding the source and leaving the area. A dog on a leash does not have that option and may then exhibit hostile reactions. My children have only been bitten by dogs on a leash, never by a dog that could just walk away.
The New Hampshire state statute RSA 466:30-a, which requires dogs to be under the control of their owner, should be adopted by towns in New Hampshire and vigorously enforced.
This law allows dogs to be off leash during hunting, herding and training. Most recreational dog walkers in Hanover who do not use a leash are training their canine charges to be good residents and to safely share our sidewalks and wooded trails with people and other animals. Using a leash on a dog is just as cruel as the occasionally seen use of a leash on a small child. Proper training and supervision of one’s charge is the owner or parent’s responsibility.
Richard Sachs
Grantham
I’m writing today to make sure we are all paying attention to what our elected officials are doing in Montpelier. I was looking at what one representative in particular was doing and made the discovery that Rep. Elizabeth Burrows (D-Vt.) co-sponsored bill H.659, which would remove parental rights and allow a child to receive life-altering hormones designed to stop/block puberty without parents even knowing.
I was quite appalled when I read this, knowing that Rep. Burrows is also on the Mt. Ascutney School Board and is making decisions that affect all of our children.
It seems this bill went nowhere, which is good, but why co-sponsor this harmful legislation? Why would she even think that it would be OK to remove the final decision from parents, the ones who know their child best, and allow a child to make such a life-altering decision at an already confusing time in their life?
Here is a quote from the bill with a direct link to it: “A minor who identifies as transgender may give consent to receive hormone blockers and any other legally authorized nonsurgical, gender-affirming care or treatment from a licensed health care professional working within the health care professional’s authorized scope of practice. Consent under this section shall not be subject to disaffirmance due to minority of the individual providing consent. The consent of the individual’s parent or guardian shall not be necessary to authorize the minor’s access to legally authorized nonsurgical, gender-affirming care or treatment.” (Retrieved from https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0659/H-0659%20As%20Introduced.pdf)
I think we need to be paying better attention to what our legislators are doing in Montpelier. It didn’t go anywhere this year, but clearly an attempt was made.
Jason Knapp
Hartland
The question of dogs in Hanover will come up as an item at the Town Meeting this year with the possible motion that dogs anywhere in the town must be kept on a leash unless they are confined to one’s yard.
I understand the concern many have about these animals, in particular those among us who are especially afraid of them.
In my view, however, discussion of the subject in the open Town Meeting is likely to be unproductive and probably contentious. A more satisfactory approach would be to create a committee of Hanover residents, knowledgeable about dogs and how to maintain effective safety when dealing with them, to examine the subject and make a recommendation for future Town Meeting action.
This is not a new problem; it has been around for as long as those who live here have had dogs as pets. It is appropriate to address it and come to a viable and sensible solution, but let’s be rational and creative in our approach.
Harte Crow
Hanover