Letters to the Editor 6-30-16

UConn leadership has failed us in Northwest Corner

As an outspoken advocate and proponent of our once beloved UConn Torrington campus, I must chime in on the unfortunate chain of events that’ve played out over the past week. I feel that UConn President Susan Herbst and her senior level staff members are leading our iconic flagship educational institution down a very dangerous path of fiscal mismanagement. As our state continues to deal with immense fiscal and social instability and as our state tuition rates continually rise year after year, how can any sane and ethical leader justify such lofty salary increases? 

Two months ago, along with many of our area leaders, I stood up and spoke directly to President Herbst and to the UConn Board of Trustees. As the UConn Torrington campus faced the chopping block we pleaded with them to reconsider. Cold faced and clearly resistant to our calls, they all voted in favor of closing the campus. This was supposedly done in the name of cost savings. Now, here we are today. Over one hundred area students and staff members have either dropped out of college or were forced to relocate and completely change their lives. Some of those changes were for the worst. 

These leaders are now arguing that the raises were contractual. So therefore these numbers were known about for quite some time and so while the Torrington campus was being closed they knew all along that their proposed “balanced” budget would include these raises. That is wrong on so many levels. I am joining the call for UConn’s leaders to give back their raises and to consider the grave impact and negative precedent that their actions will have. I ask all of you to join me as well. Just as we all joined together to speak out against the closure of the Torrington campus, now is the time to speak out against these untimely and unnecessary salary increases. 

Brian M. Ohler

North Canaan

So much support for the military funeral in Kent

We wish to thank all the organizations, veterans and citizens who attended the military funeral and reception on Saturday, June 18, that was held at the First Congregational Church in Kent to honor Ensign Joseph Hittorff Jr., Marie Camp’s first cousin, who died on the Battleship Oklahoma after it was bombed at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. 

Marie’s family, the Rev. Melinda Keck and Jon Lafleur with the Men’s Choir planned a very moving and dignified church service and tribute for Joseph. The U.S. Navy rendered Full Military Honors at an impressive graveside service. The family was presented with a Quilt of Valor by Sue Reich.

A special thank you to First Selectman Bruce K. Adams, who welcomed Andy Ocif at the April meeting of the Kent Lions Club. Andy’s request for their financial assistance was met with a substantial donation by the Lions Club and by individual members. The Kent community also responded with financial donations, and many residents brought desserts to the reception.

 We also wish to thank Davis IGA, who catered the reception, and the invaluable assistance of John Grant, produce manager, and Kathy Totten. Maureen Brady also deserves huge thanks for her help at the Community House on Friday and Saturday. 

Thank you to bagpiper Rick Morley, who volunteered his services playing the bagpipes before and after the funeral service. The Kent Boy Scouts also responded by volunteering to handle traffic control at the Kent Green. 

Special thanks to All Star Transportation for providing a shuttle bus and driver. The Kent Ambulance Association provided assistance with a backup ambulance in the event it was needed. 

We would be remiss if we did not mention John Lindsay, who made a personal financial donation and provided parking assistance at the Congregational Church. 

Thank you to the Connecticut State Police and Kent Resident Trooper Andrew Fisher, who provided traffic control in front of the Congregational Church.

We also want to thank all the citizens and veterans who attended the funeral service and reception. It was an outstanding tribute to one of our heroes of World War II who died serving his country. Ensign Hittorff Jr. will never be forgotten.

Andrew C. Ocif, Adjutant

American Legion Hall-Jennings Post No. 153

Kent

Kathy Shemeley, President POW/MIA CT 

Forget-Me-Nots Inc.

New Milford

Thanks for work on Valyou’s home

Last Thursday during the unveiling and ceremony of veteran Stephen Valyou’s new smart home in Millerton, I was proud to be recognized as the builder of this very customized home. 

As Stephen stated during the ceremony, “We had the groundbreaking just last year in December, to see the results in such a short period of time — it’s phenomenal, really. To see it altogether today, for the first time, is amazing. [My family] and I are looking forward to sitting back and taking it all in.”

I worked tirelessly along with my sub-contractors who were failed to be mentioned during the ceremony while all the big sponsors and organizations were credited. Often it is the smaller businesses and contractors who rely on the recognition and word of mouth, especially in this case where they donated much of their time to this job, all for a very good cause. 

It would be remiss not to credit the following sub-contractors, who I would also like to thank personally: Mike Hewins (WD Hewins and Sons Excavating), Todd Vernali (Vernali Concrete), Gregg Killmer (GK Electric), James Casey and Sons Plumbing and Heating, Kevin Holscrubbe (New England Painting), Tim Berlinghoff (Berlinghoff Electric), Ryan Cooper (Tri State Landscaping), Tony Mongitore (R&M Insulation), Bierbower Drywall.

Scot Dean

Dean Builders

Millerton

Thanks for supporting Project Graduation

While the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the most temperate time of the year, it is also the most dangerous time of year for teenage drivers. This season often begins as the school year ends, with graduation. So each year, the Northwest Prevention Network generously sponsors Project Graduation, an all-night celebration for our graduating seniors, featuring games, dancing, food and prizes, with the goal of offering a safe, fun alternative to the risky behaviors that often occur that night.

 The Class of 2016, along with the Housatonic Valley community, thank the many generous benefactors in Region One that make this event possible. LaBonne’s Market, Dunkin’ Donuts, Deano’s Pizza, Mizza’s Pizza, State Line Pizza, Roma’s Pizza, and Lindell’s contributed to a memorable night, with over 70 percent of our new alumni participating in a joyous celebration of their accomplishment. 

We are fortunate to learn and work in such a supportive community, and events such as Project Graduation show our students just how much you care. Thanks! 

Ian Strever

Assistant Principal

Housatonic Valley Regional High School

Falls Village

Thanks for great 2016 Big Rig 

On behalf of the board of directors of the Housatonic Child Care Center, we would like to thank all the businesses, individuals and vendors who helped to make our annual Big Rig Event a success. An added attraction this year was music provided by DJ Tayo Kaufman, and The Great Griffini (aka Griffin Tomaino) returned this year to entertain everyone with his magic tricks. 

We saw many happy children looking at, climbing on, sitting in and honking the horn of the big rigs. Without your generous spirit and gift of time the event would not have been possible. A special thank you to Noel Lidstone Tile and the Lakeville Hose Company for sponsoring our event. Save the date for our next Big Rig Event on June 11, 2017. With heartfelt thanks.

Kim Cannon & Barbara Peck

Event co-chairs

Salisbury

Thanks for great 2016 Big Rig 

On behalf of the board of directors of the Housatonic Child Care Center, we would like to thank all the businesses, individuals and vendors who helped to make our annual Big Rig Event a success. An added attraction this year was music provided by DJ Tayo Kaufman, and The Great Griffini (aka Griffin Tomaino) returned this year to entertain everyone with his magic tricks. 

We saw many happy children looking at, climbing on, sitting in and honking the horn of the big rigs. Without your generous spirit and gift of time the event would not have been possible. A special thank you to Noel Lidstone Tile and the Lakeville Hose Company for sponsoring our event. Save the date for our next Big Rig Event on June 11, 2017. With heartfelt thanks.

Kim Cannon & Barbara Peck

Event co-chairs

Salisbury

Support for Alzheimer’s benefit 

The Longest Day benefit for Alzheimer’s disease celebration was held at Sharon Health Care Center on Saturday, June 18. We would like to thank the following local businesses for their support in making our raffle a success: The Sharon Playhouse, Canaan Country Club, Brill Property Services, and many restaurants and shops in Sharon, Lakeville, Salisbury, Millerton, Amenia and Dover Plains.

We would also like to thank Freihofer Foods and Krystal Kleer for their donations to our barbecue. We appreciate all of the staff who volunteered and the support of family members.   Also, a special thank you to the bands Scarecrow and the Blues Drivers.

Thank you all.

Sawyer Thornton

Sharon Health Care Center

Sharon