Senior Reporter Patrick Sullivan shared tales from a career in journalism for Career Day at Sharon Center School, April 11.
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Letters to the Editor 4/3/25
Apr 02, 2025
Protect the rule of law and law firms and lawyers
As Trump attacks lawyers and law firms, the news reports are numerous and confusing.
An Incomplete Chronology:
• March 6 — Trump issues an Executive Order “Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP.”
• March 11 — Perkins Coie files a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a declaration that the executive order is unconstitutional and an injunction against implementation of the order.
• March 12 — Twenty-one states file an amicus brief supporting Perkins Coie.
• March 12 — The District Court issues a temporary restraining order against implementation of the order.
• March 14 — Trump issues an Executive Order “Addressing Risks from Paul Weiss.”
• March 20 — Trump and Paul Weiss reach an agreement, and Trump rescinds the order against Paul Weiss. The agreement includes the provision by Paul Weiss of $40 million of free legal work for causes endorsed by Trump.
• March 21 — Rachel Cohen, an attorney at Skadden Arps, submits her resignation in protest against the failure of Skadden to condemn the threat of Trump against lawyers and law firms.
• March 21 — Stacy Zaretsky, editor at Above the Law, writes “Shout from the rooftops that what is happening will lead to the death of the rule of law in America. It is crucial that you make your voices heard. Speak publicly about the way that Trump is misusing the justice system in order to seek retribution against those he deems to be his enemies. Protect the profession, and rise up to protect the rule of law.”
• March 22 — Trump issues to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security a Memorandum titled “Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court.”
Trump’s weapons against lawyers and law firms include termination of security clearances, government contracts, and access to federal buildings — all powerful economic weapons.
Points from the amicus brief filed by 21 States
“... the principle that every person deserves competent legal representation is nonpartisan, longstanding and fundamental to the rule of law. And it applies just as strongly when the clients and interests represented are unpopular, controversial, or opposed to the government.”
“... the states, the courts, and the public all benefit when all sides to a dispute are effectively represented. We know from experience that when a government’s positions are challenged in court, the best response is a vigorous legal defense — not to attack or punish the law firms willing to mount the challenge.”
“... strong advocacy reinforces public trust in the legal system and helps prevent injustice by ensuring fair and informed legal decisions. Threats to lawyers, law firms, or the judiciary undermine these values and constitute assaults on the rule of law itself.”
“While government officials may dislike being the subject of criticism by lawyers in court, they may not use their power to punish or deter such speech. The right to verbally oppose government action without reprisal ‘is one important characteristic by which we distinguish ourselves from a police state.’”
We must protect the rule of law, law firms, and lawyers.
G. A. Mudge
Sharon
Thanks to sponsors of EMT training day
On March 15, the EMS Institute ran a symposium for Emergency Medical Services providers, the great majority of whom were volunteer EMTs from our region.
With the help of an excellent faculty and volunteers, we were able to provide a full day of over 25 course offerings to 114 attendees.
We wish to express thanks to our sponsors The Hotchkiss School and Emergency Resource Management, and supporters Sharon Hospital and Nuvance Health.
In addition to the critical service our first responders provide, continuing education is an additional behind the scene effort they make to provide excellent care to our communities.
Jared Zelman, MD, EMT, Board President EMS Institute
Lakeville
April 5 protest planned
If the massive power-grab by the President and his minions concerns you, join us for a Hands Off! protest in Cornwall Bridge on Saturday, April 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
This will be one of thousands of peaceful actions to protest the President’s threat to our healthcare, personal data, jobs, services, schools while abusing veterans, the poor, elderly, children and migrants.
Bring Hands Off signs to stage a peaceful witness at the Route 4 & 7 triangle in Cornwall Bridge.
Stand up to the bullies in Washington and say “Hands Off!”
Richard Sears and Brenda Singer
Cornwall Bridge
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Turning Back the Pages
Apr 02, 2025
125 years ago — 1900
A large motor-omnibus will be run next summer between Torrington, Litchfield and Bantam Lake. The ‘bus is to be propelled by a Yale improved two cycle gasoline engine of twelve horse power which is specially constructed for automobiles. It will carry nine passengers and four large trunks. The vehicle is being built for Geo. D. Jones, a livery man of Torrington by the Dennison Electrical Engineering Co. of New Haven who guarantee that it will be able to mount hills of sixteen per cent grade.
The roads are getting settled rapidly and have not been as bad this season as usual, owing to good work by our roadmen and the absence of snow and cold weather this winter. The graveling of Main street has been a good object lesson, for this road has been in excellent condition all winter.
SALISBURY — W.W. Hortie, who burned his arm a few days ago, has taken cold in the wound, and now has a very painful arm.
This week a wealthy New York man came to this office to ascertain if there were any summer cottages in the market which he could rent this coming summer. We did the best we could for him but we fear he did not succeed in finding a place, for there seems to be none. This is only another instance that more houses are needed. How long will it be thus. The village is trying hard to grow and it should be helped. If more houses are needed they should be forthcoming. It would be a good investment all around, for more families bring more business and prosperity.
SHARON — Fred Morehouse moved this week into part of A.M. Card’s house. Mr. Morehouse intends on enlarging his livery business, we understand.
Master James Ellis is now the new boy at the Journal office.
For the benefit of our fishermen we would state that it is a violation of the law to take more than 30 trout in one day.
Edward Beebe, who has been employed as driver at the Wells Hill Farm, goes to-day to take a position as conductor on the trolley road between Winsted and Torrington.
Brother S.C. Beckley of the Canaan News has completed his 17th year as editor of that up to date paper. Mr. Beckley has labored well and as a result the News is prosperous and newsy. Make it continue thus.
100 years ago — 1925
Twin sons were born to Rev. and Mrs. Frank Lambert of Salisbury at the Hartford Hospital, on Monday morning, March 30th. Mrs. Lambert and children are doing very well.
The Act authorizing the Salisbury Savings Society to merge with The Robbins Burrall Trust Company was accepted by more than 2-3 of the corporators of the Savings Society at the meeting held March 30th, and by more than 2-3 of the stock of the Trust Company at the meeting held April 1st, and the merger is now an accomplished fact, and the assets of the Savings Society held in the Savings Department of the Trust Company.
Mrs. Rose Mitchell wishes to say that her cottage on Water Street occupied by Millard Kipp is not for sale or rental at the present time. This statement is made to put an end to rumors and to save needless time and trouble to rent hunters.
Howard Doty has finished his duties at Benjamin’s Store and will help his father in the ice business this summer. Vincent Walsh of Ore Hill takes Howard’s place at Benjamin’s.
50 years ago — 1975
Regional high school teachers offered Tuesday to forego any general salary increase for 1975-76 if 4.4 teaching positions now threatened are retained. The teachers also seek written safeguards and limits on any future staff cutbacks. The next move apparently belongs to the Housatonic Valley Regional High School Board of Education, which meets next Tuesday.
Legal papers calling for a new trial for 20-year-old Peter A. Reilly were filed Wednesday in Litchfield County Superior Court. The papers were submitted by defense attorneys seeking a reversal of Reilly’s 1974 first-degree manslaughter conviction.
Salisbury has the highest percentage of residents over 60 and over 65 of any town in Connecticut, Rev. Frank O. Reed, municipal agent for the aging, reported Tuesday night. He said that 27 per cent of the town’s approximately 3,700 residents are over 60 and 20 per cent are over 65, thus placing Salisbury “at the top of the ratio list.”
The new post office on Kent Green will open its doors to patrons for the first time April 7. Business at the present post office on Main Street will close at noon, Saturday April 5, marking the end of 42 years in the old building.
25 years ago — 2000
Cable modem? DSL? No matter how one frames the question, the answer remains the same: high-speed Internet access at an affordable price won’t be coming to the Northwest Corner any time soon, according to spokesmen for the local phone and cable service providers.
Lou Bucceri was honored March 19 as the Outstanding Lion of the Year by the Salisbury Lions Club at the Cornucopia Restaurant in Torrington.
After 27 years, the Kent Market has changed hands. As of Tuesday, residents Caralee and David Rochovansky took over ownership of the former A&P on Main Street. Last month, former owners Peter and Florence Jordhamo of Fairfield decided to retire, just as the Rochovanskys decided to leave their position as caretakers of the Preston Mountain Club after 19 years. The Rochovanskys will be at the market full time.
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Why Connecticut’scommunity health centers had to act
Every year, Connecticut’s community health centers provide medical, dental and behavioral care to 440,000 Connecticut residents including over 270,000 who are on HUSKY, the state’s Medicaid program. For most of our patients, we are their only source of care. Unfortunately, for decades, Connecticut state government has failed to provide reimbursement rates at levels that allow health centers to provide care for all in need. This failure is intentional.
Connecticut’s refusal to provide adequate funding for community health centers breaks federal Medicaid law, period. By law, states must adhere to all aspects of the Medicaid program including how rates are set for health centers. It cannot pick and choose.
Meanwhile, Connecticut residents are losing access to the health care they need and are required to receive under the Medicaid program. To be clear, one of the wealthiest states in the nation has chosen to underpay its health care providers, causing people across our great state to suffer unnecessarily.
The Department of Social Services is the state agency responsible for setting reimbursement rates for community health centers. A study commissioned last year by the department itself found that Connecticut funds community health centers at a rate that is 20% below the average of peer state funding. That is, Social Services knows and has publicly acknowledged that it is underpaying Connecticut’s health centers.
The Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHC/ACT) negotiated in good faith with the Department of Social Services to increase reimbursement rates and the rate setting process for more than a year and a half. These efforts have unfortunately failed. As a result, member health centers have made the difficult decision to begin reducing staff and services. More will follow.
This reduction of health care services threatens an increasingly fragile health care system and will make people sicker. Our communities will be worse off — all because the state will not meet its legal requirement to fund health centers appropriately. After years of unsuccessful negotiation, we have decided to take legal action to attempt to force corrective action.
This month CHC/ACT filed legal action against the department to try to force compliance with federal laws that govern Medicaid reimbursements. If we are successful, Connecticut will be required to fund community health centers at rates that reflect the actual cost of health care services provided, rather than at rates that balance the state budget on the backs of those most in need. That is what is really at stake here.
Community health centers are successful because they provide quality care close to the patient, in the communities where patients live, usually providing the convenience of multiple types of health care services in one building. On every level, this is public health policy that makes sense. Health centers provide care to all people, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. As a result, they are a large provider in the Medicaid program, serving almost 30% of Connecticut’s one million Medicaid patients.
But our state government seems to think of Medicaid as a cost-driver, instead of a critical health care program, and has specifically short-changed community health centers in a misguided effort to save money in the system. Your government is gambling on your health to balance the state budget.
Taking legal action to resolve this issue is something we have tried to avoid for years, but we now have no choice. Although the state legislature has consistently supported community health centers, the administration has opposed their efforts. We’ve tried utilizing the legislative branch and the executive branch. The health care of our patients now depends on our success with the judicial branch.
We are hopeful that once our argument is heard, a judicial ruling will force the legislative and executive branches of our state government to build a system that provides adequate funding and complies with the federal Medicaid program. We need a rate system that makes sense and follows the law — to ensure that you, your family, your friends, and all Connecticut residents can continue to access the health care they need.
Joanne Borduas is Board Chair of the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut and CEO of the Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington.