Letters to the Editor - The Lakeville Journal - 10-26-23

Don Mayland – A life of leadership and service to Salisbury

Don Mayland is currently a Selectman for the Town of Salisbury and should be re-elected to that role in November.

Don has been serving our country and our community for most of his life.  First as an enlistee in the US Navy, then after a brief stint in the local family business, a devoted teacher at the local Hotchkiss School for 37 years.  During that time, not only did he instill in his students a love of the environment and the outdoors, but he also gave back to our community by serving in numerous town organizations.  He is not only a Selectman, but also served 10 years as President of the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Squad and four terms on the Board of Finance.  He is Chairman of the Water Pollution Control Authority, served as President of the Lake Wonoscopomuc Association, President of the Marketplace of Salisbury, and as board member of the Northwest Community Foundation.  And the list goes on.  It would be very hard to find another with this amount of experience and commitment to our community. 

Don has a unique view of Salisbury and is well aware of the needs of our community — affordable housing, traffic control, and high-speed internet to name a few.  He wants Salisbury to benefit from new technology and approaches but does not want to sacrifice the small-town culture that is so attractive to us in this community.  Don has worked seamlessly with Curtis Rand and Chris Williams and will continue to do so to achieve our goals; we should let this team continue to serve Salisbury.  

Alan Friedman

Salisbury

Lynn Worthington has my vote on Election Day

There has never been a race for First Selectman in Kent that has produced a more qualified selection of candidates. In their own right, each would be an excellent steward of the town. One cannot underscore their commitment to public service enough. Their hearts are in the right place, and they share the goodwill of our community without reserve. Each embodies the American spirit that Kent nurtures in her townsfolk — a rural fortitude and a small-town commitment that extends to well beyond the borders of our town.

As Election Day draws near, let us reflect on the timeless values enshrined within our Constitution. Across our nation, and indeed the world, the very fabric of democracy rests upon upholding and defending these principles, ensuring a fair and just society for all. As our town wrestles with its own decision of leadership and direction, we need to hold firm to a decisive shift toward a local-minded politics rooted in principles, honesty, and fairness. At the local, state, and national level, let us demand that our candidates and representatives exemplify the values we hold dear.

To this end, I would like to add that I have known one of our candidates, Lynn Mellis Worthington, since I was 7 years old when she first started as a reporter for the Kent GTD. She is now as she was then, someone who I deeply respect. Lynn has a natural tenacity, which enables her to firmly grasp an issue, find a solution, and yield results. She’s a community champion with a skillful, humble leadership style, that favors conscience over ego and accuracy over hyperbole.

Lynn does truly embody the genuine spirit of Yankee ingenuity and wise thriftiness, which is essential for our small town. Lynn confidently knows this community inside and out — from every pothole and backroad to every storefront, town meeting and budget, to every hearth and headstone. Under Lynn’s leadership and guidance, I do believe that Kent’s best days are ahead. Moreover, I believe she will be a strong and wise guide for us at the state and federal level. For this, she has my vote.

The path to a stronger democracy starts here in our town — it lies in our hands, what we teach our children, and in the actions, we take each day to be better people.

Regardless of who you’re voting for — we must remember that we’re friends and neighbors. So, whether you’re a Lynn, Marty, or a Rufus, let us communicate, coordinate, and cooperate to forge a new vision of our Kent community where our shared and sacred candle on the water, our American Constitution, is not just revered, but actively protected in the face of political challenges. The time for transformation is now, and it starts with a relentless commitment to upholding our constitutional principles — not only on Election Day, but every waking day.

Sarah A. Chase

Kent

In support of Kitty Kiefer

This letter is in support of Kitty Keifer for Selectman.  Kitty is ideal for the position.  She is trained as a lawyer and is smart and focused.  Her impulse is to listen and to serve.  She’s devoted to the town.  I’m thrilled to vote for Kitty Keifer and I urge you to vote for her, too. 

Janet Andre Block

Salisbury

Barger deserves your vote

I urge voters of Canaan (Falls Village) to support Dave Barger for First Selectman.  Dave has the skills to do a masterful job.  He has taken the time to avail himself of training and courses offered by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which focus on small town government and all that goes with it, becoming duly certified. This education, along with his on-the-job experience will serve him well.

He has taken a leadership role on the Board, represented the town at various local and state events and has maintained office hours when the first selectman has been unavailable.  He understands the meaning of the word ”board,” has worked cooperatively with the selectmen, as well as members of other boards and commissions. He is acutely aware of public safety and has great people skills, to say nothing of a host of other skills he will bring to this position.

He is committed to the usual First Selectman office hours, which is critically important, as most of the town’s business is conducted during the day. These hours accommodate our citizens and others who need the time. He will work additional office hours daily and when the town hall is closed whenever needed. He will make concerns of all citizens and the results of the Plan of Conservation and Development a priority.

Dave has been a public servant his entire adult life, first as a state trooper and then as chief of public safety at Quinnipiac University. He has lived here for 43 years and is devoted to the town.  He and his wife, Carmela volunteer for numerous church and other community activities.  He values the education his daughters received at Lee H. Kellogg School and HVRHS.

Above all, his honesty and integrity are above reproach. He deserves your vote.

Patricia Allyn Mechare

Falls Village

Working together for community solutions

A theme of gentrification and upscaling driving out locals from many areas seems the new normal in many areas and countries. Millions of people are scrambling to think of how to make ends meet. They could benefit from what SchumacherCenter.org and many in permaculture circles, such as Gaia.org, offer in terms of people working together for community solutions.

 Everyone deserves a team of support during their lifetime, especially when starting out and in elder years as decline may happen in mental or physical skills. Around the world, a lack of natural supports or safety is oppressive.The bigger reality of the the Middle East conflict focused on Gaza has many tentacles spanning centuries and seems at a tipping point for all to care about at this dire time.

We could learn the options people in power and in a geographical area have even if they are not being spelled out by them. We need more think tanks and prayer tanks (but clearly religion is also a key part of the world challenges so a wider understanding of our human nature is needed) not more military tanks as first options.

Dr. Steven Greer informed Congress of what is known about secret operations in the world. There are profound questions to grapple with on many ecological, humanitarian and basic living fronts for safety, respect and survival. There are many on Clubhouse.com, Discord and X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and youtube offering info and ideas.

NewLifeExpo.com in Brooklyn NY Oct.27-9 will have dozens of exhibits and talks about health, our human energy, will and much more. Dannion Brinkley whose helped thousands as a hospice volunteer will speak.

If every state in the Northeast could send a handful of folks to catch that vibe and enhance their tribe with hope, the positive ripple effect could ease some of the overwhelm. Many faith groups are praying but too often tied in with a political war, profit and control strategy without respect for humanitarian options.

Accurate, comprehensive media, our collective human family and groups looking for real solutions need to gain a foothold to anticipate and guide people in times of conflict rather than feed the frenzy. Thanks for each doing their part and looking to be a respectful team player locally and globally.

Catherine Palmer Paton

Falls Village

Dave Barger for First Selectman

I write this to state my intention to cast my vote for Dave Barger as First Selectman of the Town of Canaan, also known as Falls Village. I do this to state my reasons for supporting Dave and by no means to disparage his opponent whom I have supported in another elected position.

Character counts and knowing a person well helps in making judgments in that regard. I have known Dave for about 40 years starting at a time when he and his wife Carmela, like I and my wife, moved here to raise a family and chose to make their life our town. It happened that I attended a party honoring his retirement from his career with the CT State Police. From several of his peers I heard of his quiet competence and good judgment in critical situations that arise regularly in police work. Also noted was his ability, as a supervisor, to contribute to a positive work environment in a busy office with on-going complex operations.

About his long involvement in the town’s civic affairs, I need say no more as it speaks for itself.

Lastly, I must highlight that Dave plans to serve as a full-time First Selectman in accordance with the custom, practice, and tradition in force in our town for generations. As a former member of the Board of Selectman for twelve years, including four years as First Selectman, I insist that being present in this way is crucial to providing superior service to the people of the town. Dave’s opponent, alternatively, plans to remain full-time employed in his position as a manager in a private enterprise thus would be relegated to serving two masters whereas Dave’s commitment to the people is undiluted.

Louis G. Timolat

Falls Village

Janet Lynn for Salisbury ZBA

With the local elections coming soon, I would like to recommend Janet Lynn to serve another term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. She has successfully served one term already and did a great job for our community.

Janet has been a long-term Salisbury resident originally from Sharon. She attended Salisbury Central school and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Upon graduating, she entered the Women’s Army Corp for a period of three years. After successfully completing her term, she returned to Salisbury. Since then she has served our town as the registrar of voters, been a member of the affordable Housing Committee, and served one term on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Janet has expressed her desire to serve another term because our community is growing and facing new challenges which affect the safety and health of all our community. I strongly support her re-election and hope we all send her back for another term.

Paul Ramunni

Salisbury

On lookout for Black bears

I get a blog from Heather Lende who lives in Haines, Alaska.  Bears are a real problem there.  They roam at night looking for food.  They will rip car doors open if folks have left any food in the car.  Locking the doors does not help.  The bears will rip them off.

Heather said a friend used to hang bars of Irish Spring soap in his cherry tree.  The bears would rip the paper off the soap, but leave it alone.  Another thing is moth balls which apparently they don’t like.  Heather has hung some on her car door.

I haven’t seen any signs of a bear here in Canaan Valley, but I think they are around.

Carolyn McDonough

North Canaan