Letters to the Editor - The Lakeville Journal - 7-20-23

Re: the Salisbury selectman’s ballot

In his letter of July 13, the Republican Town Committee Chair was simply wrong to pitch a petitioning candidate for Salisbury Selectman directly against his proposed Republican candidate.  That’s not how it works.  When Salisbury’s voters select their next two ordinary Selectmen as opposed to the First Selectman, they will be able to select any two out of however many candidates are presented on the ballot.

The Town Clerk informed me that she has one petitioning candidate registered as of Jul 13 and that is Katherine (Kitty) Kiefer.  She is unaffiliated to any party. Unaffiliated candidates have until August 9 to register, while Republican, Democratic and Independent Party candidates have until Sept 6.

Perhaps Kitty’s entry into the race will encourage clarification by each candidate on what they stand for and will do for the Town — it is, after all, a paid position; perhaps even a public forum on what actions and attitudes are good for the future of our Town.  I, for one, would welcome such discussion.

Janet Graaf

Lakeville

Why you, your kids should care about elections

It’s always around now that we see postings in this paper for the local Democratic and Republican caucuses. They’re held to nominate the candidates each party will run, either for re-election or to fill vacated slots for local offices or committee seats. Some unaffiliated candidates will also be included in these races.

Most of the time, though, whether the candidates are long-standing community members or recent arrivals to town, whether they’re running for reelection to the same office or changing positions to run for another role, the choices are pretty much already familiar to us. Why does this matter? I’ll get to that shortly….

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the SHAG multi-day cultural event at Spring Hill Vineyards in Washington, Connecticut. It’s mostly a music and art festival, but on the last afternoon, there was a community panel event for an organization called IGNITE (www.ignitenational.org) a national non-partisan movement that trains young women to discover and flex their political power and hone their leadership skills.

IGNITE was founded thirteen years ago by Dr. Anne Moses, who grew up around here. Their mission is to help young women build their confidence, develop leadership by helping them understand how to effect change in their communities, and in their own lives.

On the panel were our own State Representative Maria Horn, Senator Pat Miller of Stamford, and Jessica Weaver, Member of the CT Office of the Treasurer, Board of Education Member for Newington, Connecticut, and IGNITE alum. The panel was moderated by Zunera Ahmed, District and Communications Director at NY State Senate, another IGNITE alum and current IGNITE Board Member.

In this dynamic conversation, Representative Horn and Senator Miller discussed how they began their careers, how they maneuvered their way to the positions they hold today, and the obstacles that each of them had to overcome.

Although Jessica’s story is still being written, because her spark was recognized, nurtured and launched by IGNITE while she was still in college, it was fascinating to the other two seasoned politicians.

Through IGNITE, Jessica got media training, won a scholarship to attend their conferences and had a network of friends to help her by posting on social media. She was so prepared that when Gary Turco, her State Representative for Newington, encouraged her to run for Board of Education when she was about to start her first year at U Conn Grad School, she won. She is running for her third term this fall.

The point is that we need diversity, a different point of view and life experience and a vested interest in the future of our communities. This means that we need to give some new leaders the opportunity to gain experience working with their community Elders. This is a reminder of the importance of encouraging and getting young leaders elected to our local boards and commissions as they start their careers.

Thank you.

Barbara J. Friedman

Lakeville

Let’s get dreaming up ways to make life work

While the Fourth of July is all about the founding of America, adopting the US Constitution and progress made since, it’s important to acknowledge the people who were born and lived their lives for thousands of years before the US was formed. Native American Remembrance Day July 3rd is being promoted to make a national holiday in the US. Let’s build bridges and make amends as we can in all areas of our lives from the personal to the national and beyond.

Many in our world have tuned into the ongoing struggle of the ‘haves and have-nots’ in terms of people fighting to ‘live where they were born or have dwelled for many years, often decades.’ In cities and suburbs as well as rural areas, the effects of money and might making right seem to be The American Way for those who can afford it.

With aging or health concerns, more support to stay afloat is needed. Every country, state and town could have a special outreach to assist people in understanding ‘where they are on the game board’ for affording to live in their home, their area or stay connected with key people and services even if spending part of the year or time away for more support or other reasons.

The array of help needed really extends to every person to plan often 5-10 years in advance, whichever age they are and could be a helpful way to protect assets, avert trauma and lessen mistreatment of people, pets and even property or items whether of sentimental value or financial worth. More education and planning could ease the burden on systems and people.

When it’s not pouring rain, or too smoky or hot to think, enjoying the summer outdoors, with people and  events reminds us of shared values and resources. Highlights like parades and fairs such as at Canaan Railroad Days, Falcon Ridge and The Goshen Fair bring thousands together. More fun and support could grow as an ongoing civic sense of caring for one another.

Promoting safety and well-being can be team sports, from welcoming new ones into our world and area as well as staying in touch with people over their lifespan. Everyone matters and deserves a team of support with strong networks to share the load and even the road (with safety, extra rides and delivery services, travel help and lodging.)

Let’s get dreaming up ways to ‘make life work’ as fellow gardeners of community and care every season of the year and life.  “Many thanks” as my Mom would say, and happy healing and growing on all levels!

Catherine Palmer Paton

Falls Village

Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake

July 30 at our Salisbury Ski Jump will be another of the welcome Jane Lloyd Clambakes put on by family and friends of Jane as a Fund Raiser for the generous fund established in Jane’s honor to allow cancer patients to remain in their homes by providing financial help for day-to-day living expenses.   

Jane was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer but wanted to die in her beloved home surrounded by her gardens.  The incredible love and care of her family and friends allowed Jane to do this. The Berkshire Foundation has allowed these same family and friends to extend this assistance to others in Jane’s circumstances.   

I can still see Jane with her beautiful auburn red hair in my garden. She created a shade garden for me which I can see from my kitchen window.   The trillium that have multiplied and thrived so beautifully remind me of Jane so much.   

The Jane Lloyd Fund is a true example of how Salisbury has always been an example of neighbor helping neighbor.    We are so blessed to have our volunteer Fire Department, Volunteer Ambulance service and so much more available here.    Put July 30th on your calendars, buy your tickets now and join in a celebration of Jane’s spirit and the caring spirit of Salisbury.  If you can’t be there on the 30th,  be there with a donation to the Jane Lloyd Fund.

Elyse Harney
Salisbury

Thanking all for support at CROP Hunger Walk

The Northwest Connecticut CROP Hunger Walk would like to thank all of the many regional participants who supported the 2022 Walk. Together we raised $36,411, of which $9,103 remains in our community to support food banks and food programs in Northwest Connecticut and Sheffield, Massachusetts. The balance of the funds assists people worldwide who face daily hunger as a result of human and natural disasters.

As the model of small, local walks organized by church and school groups served us well last year, we will be using the same approach in 2023. We have designated the whole month of September for local groups to hold their walks. Coincidentally, September is also “Hunger Action Month” — and what a splendid way to take action, by supporting a CROP Hunger Walk.

For more information please visit our social media pages on Instagram (nwctcropwalk) and FaceBook (facebook.com/CropWalkofNWCT), or register on the web at tiny.cc/CROP-NWCT.

We hope you will join us in September, and join with neighbors who are walking to end hunger, one step at a time!

Pastor John Nelson and Pat Palmer

NWCT CROP Walk Planning Team

Salisbury