Letters to the Editor - The Lakeville Journal - 8-18-22

Logan is the one for the 5th District

It is my pleasure to back enthusiastically the candidacy of George Logan for Congress in our district, the 5th District.

We have heard about George’s background, how he is the son of Guatemalan immigrants and is a trained engineer who has worked in the private sector and has a real understanding of the problems that middle class families in our district face.

One of the most serious problems is the price of gas, which has hit all time highs in our district.

This is especially distressing since so many of our constituents have to drive long distances to work and to school.

And what has the current incumbent Jahana Hayes done about this?

She has supported President Biden in canceling the Keystone pipeline as well as canceling offshore oil and gas production in Alaska, not to mention canceling federal oil and gas leases for American energy companies.

None of these actions remotely help us in the near term especially with the war in Ukraine raging.

We must elect a congressman who understands the importance of supporting our energy industry now when it is most vital.

George Logan is that person. He is a trained engineer and has worked in the private sector so he knows the importance of a paycheck to feed one’s family.

He is practical  and is in favor of clean energy as we all are, but he understands the actions supporting clean energy can’t be done overnight, otherwise we could destroy the economy .

It must be done carefully and incrementally.

We need someone like George Logan to go to Washington to support our principles of moderation while protecting the families in our state, and keeping them air conditioned when necessary and warm in the winter.

Please send someone like George Logan to Washington to espouse these very important principles.

Maureen Bateman

Lakeville

Music, birds on the Housatonic

Walking around the streets of New York City in the summer in the 1980s, at almost any time of the day or night, and in any neighborhood, was an invitation to partake of a high decibel cultural phenomenon: BOOM Boxes. The base would reverberate off the brownstones and pavement like an audio freight train at full throttle. You could actually see the thunderous vibrations on the surface of your hand held soft drink (much like the “thunder dinosaur” scene in the movie Jurassic Park).

Conversely, walking along the banks of the Housatonic River in the summer, in the present day, in the afternoon, one is struck by the soft, singular and commingled sounds of the river wildlife overlaid with the sound of the river itself. Small birds of many varieties chirp and sing. Larger birds giving deeper full-throated calls. And, of course, in the distance, crows abrasively caw at irregular intervals. And to be honest, one cannot neglect the occasional man-made thunder of a group of passing muffler-challenged Harley Davidsons (hogs) traveling along nearby Route 7 or the occasional freight train chugging along the riverside tracks.

When you put these two rather different worlds together — urban BOOM-Box thunder and rural soft sounds of river wildlife, what do you get?

Well, last weekend I found myself surprised as all get out, to be on the receiving end of just such an urban-rural cultural happenstance.

It was a languid Sunday afternoon. I was out photographing birds along the Housatonic River (my focus was on a flock of young cedar waxwings learning aerial acrobatics in pursuit of flying insects, and also a great blue heron standing in the river, on those stilt-like legs, fishing.) Suddenly, without warning, the atmosphere was split by the thunderous baseline of a Latin beat “Whwump-eda-Whwump-eda-Whwump-eda…” shattering the sound barrier of calm.

Both the great blue heron and I tilted our heads in complete befuddlement at the immense alteration of our environment. In one of those rare moments of a shared thought process with a creature of the wild, we both quietly said to ourselves, “What the _______?” (The cedar waxwings seemed to be unruffled by the new din.) However, I had a leg up on the heron — having lived in NYC in the 80’s. I surmised that the music must be emanating from a group along the riverside I passed on my way upriver. I confirmed this while driving back down river.

Having been “taken” by the Housatonic River many years ago, I’ve been fortunate to witness all sorts of things along its course — both natural and man-made. I’ve smiled many times coming across many different groups pursuing their particular activities, from soccer, to cricket, to badminton, to picnicking, to family cooling in the river in a large circle.

This specific reformulation of cultural expectation and experience of this environment was a new one to me.

Michael Moschen

Cornwall Bridge

Celebrate Democrats

This is a time to celebrate our democracy rather than lament it. The Democrats, under the steady leadership of President Biden, continue to pass laws that will make all Americans safer, healthier, and more economically secure for years to come.

This week, we can celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This Congress has committed $370 billion to tackle the alarming impact of climate change and to encourage the development and production of renewable energy sources. This investment offers hope that we can maintain a viable environment for future generations. The IRA also makes it possible for the government to negotiate prescription drug prices, making some medications more affordable. Importantly, the funding for the IRA comes from a new minimum corporate income tax and from increased funding for the IRS to enforce our existing tax laws, thereby increasing tax revenues.

This Congress has made a significant start in addressing rampant gun violence by passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Additionally, after 200 attempts over the course of 120 years, this Congress has recognized lynching as a hate crime with the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

This Democrat-led Congress has made the health of our citizens a priority. For example, it has recognized the pain and suffering too many of our veterans have endured as a result of being exposed to toxic burn sites while serving our country and will provide the specialized care these veterans need through the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022.

This Congress is bringing jobs back to the US. The $56 billion investment in the CHIPS and Science Act will create well-paying jobs and careers in semiconductor research and production.

Overall, the U.S. economy and the job market are strong, thanks to the work of Democrats in this Congress.

It is time to celebrate the Democrats who never lost sight of their oath to support and defend the constitution or of their commitment to a government of the people, by the people and for the people, with liberty and justice for all.  Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy work hard to restore America to being a great nation, honored by its citizens and respected throughout the world. Allow these dedicated public servants to keep working hard for us! Vote for Representative Hayes and for Senator Blumenthal in November.

Kathleen Voldstad

Salisbury

Logan is my choice on inflation

Anyone who says they have the answer to inflation is either a liar, a fool or a politician. Often they come in one package. We have had six periods of inflation since World War II. The last one was in 2008. Is history repeating itself? The answer is “yes” and “no.” History and inflation never repeat themselves exactly the same way. Economists pretty much agree this round of inflation has been caused by high oil prices, supply chain disruptions, semiconductor shortages, labor shortages, pent up pandemic consumer spending and over financial stimulation by the federal government.

George Logan understands we have an inflation problem. It’s not transitory. Gas prices may have declined some recently and the rate of inflation may be less this month, but prices are still much higher today than they were a year or two ago. Businesses in the 5th District still can’t find enough people to work. Housing costs, home repairs and vacation costs are pushing some people out of the market.

The question is what can be done about all these issues. The Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to curb expansion and make it more difficult for business to borrow. That will eventually slow the economy enough to cause a recession and people will lose their jobs. If they don’t have money, they won’t be able to spend and force up prices. That’s a very draconian solution. We must send someone to Washington who will think about these issues and who has demonstrated in Hartford as a state senator that he supports fiscal responsibility.

I will not support anyone who promises to follow the party line dictated by Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Chuck Schumer or Mitch McConnell. I want someone who will investigate and make his or her own decisions on such issues as necessary immigration, environmental responsibility and sound energy policy, government spending to solve problems, but not hand out billions to businesses or people who don’t really need it. Based on past performance and our conversation last month I believe George Logan is the best person to represent the Connecticut 5th District in Congress.

Bill Littauer

Lakeville

Community networks essential

The difficult news of the maternity ward closing at Sharon Hospital will create a ripple effect of people figuring out other options. Some may plan to have a homebirth with appropriate support and near a hospital. Others may want to spend a week or more near their chosen hospital they plan to deliver at to benefit all involved, since births can occur anytime and with a need for medical support.

With medical  costs figured in terms of millions of dollars and having to justify how many people are benefitting, prevention  (not only of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe relationships) for more community-based centers across a state and near medical facilities would help.

With online education and forums, many are taking charge of learning how to prevent difficulties with digestion,  problems using prescription or illegal substances and alcohol as well as addressing social, legal and other issues that can affect one’s health and well-being (including not being bullied at work, school, in the community or in relationships dubbed domestic abuse). In addition everyone should have support as needed for managing ADLs (Activities of Daily Living such as managing day and night routines for good sleep, eating, toileting, mobility, transportation, safe housing and more.)

It can be hard to know where to start and who would take charge in offering support to people at large and in need of particular care. Climate change is waking many up to the idea that people need to cooperate and live with a sense of care and shared responsibility on many levels, including economically, politically and educationally.

Using the ethics and principles of permaculture, such as “earth care, people care and resource share” as well as working from patterns to details and conserving energy can help more people collaborate using nature and existing social and community networks to plan and implement strategies for shared progress. Many including myself are eager to see more bridges built to help states and towns serve all in their areas. Thanks to The Salisbury Forum and Lakeville Journal and Millerton News for doing their part to keep the conversations growing!

Catherine Palmer Paton

Falls Village

Thanks for the book signing success

After a two year hiatus, the 24th Summer Book Signing  robustly returned to the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon on Aug. 5. Twenty-six authors signed their books under a large tent, while the 275 guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments.  The event — the Northwest Corner’s literary highlight — had been sorely missed.

It took a small army to pull it off, and thanks are owed to everyone who made the event the success it was.  That includes the volunteers who helped with the setup and in so many other ways, the Sharon Center School students who passed hor d’oeuvres, local businesses who donated services (including inns that put up authors) and lent financial support, the photographers and this paper for their coverage of the evening, author dinner hosts, underwriters, the tireless library staff, the authors themselves and all the guests who supported this important fundraiser with their presence.

We are  also so very grateful to our neighbor, the Sharon Historical Society, for accommodating the event on its grounds while the Library undergoes construction and renovation.

After a short breather, preparations will begin for the 25th, which will be something of a milestone.  In the meantime, sincere thanks once again to everyone involved in the 24th.

Thomas Trowbridge

Hotchkiss Library Board President

Sharon

Thank you to the FBI

Merrick Garland, man of the hour

In Mar-a-Lago rooms he did scour

And as the evidence piled up

The sweat appeared on the orange makeup

Now is the time to convict him

And let him work out in the prison gym

There will be rejoicing in the land

And the happiness will be grand

Michael Kahler

Lakeville