Letters to the Editor - April 26, 2012

 Fond memories of Housy

Next fall, for the first time in 11 years, my wife and I will not have a son or daughter at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Looking back, two things — the enthusiasm of the teachers at parent-teacher conferences and the good things our kids have said about so many teachers — are probably the best testimony any school could have.

The sports events, the singing, the musicals,the field trips. Watching games at the Housy fields framed by fall colors …

There is probably a better school somewhere, maybe. But it is nice to look back and feel that, with 20-20 hindsight, Housy looks so good.

 Patrick H. Hare
Cornwall

 Unfair voting in process

For many voters, when it comes to having real freedom of choice regarding available candidates on the ballot, our current two-party system of government makes it virtually impossible. This is especially true in states where large groups of voters want to exercise their right to remain independent thinkers during the voting process. I am one of those so-called Connecticut “unaffiliated” voters who actually wants to review candidate positions, and be able to vote for the most qualified candidates in my opinion. I don’t like being pushed to vote via a manipulative labels system: liberals, progressives, conservatives, red, green, blue or whatever labels parties and the media like to conveniently slap onto people.

However, under Connecticut’s primary system, I am compelled to affiliate with a party to vote. And if I don’t vote in one of the party primaries, I forfeit an early vote that can be so important in the selection of the final candidates. Who created these rules? Not the citizenry, but the same old two-party system which does not provide freedom of choice.

Before I even cast my primary vote, the field already has been winnowed down via the Presidential Debate Commission process, run by the same two parties. Frequently, viable candidates have only minimal chance to make it into the debates and get national exposure via this contrived process, although their chances are improved with access to sources of unlimited funds. What happened to the old days when the League of Women Voters (instead of political parties and the news media) ran the debates in a fairer, more balanced fashion?

In fact, the strictly controlled debate process this year has excluded legitimate, highly qualified presidential candidates like former Gov. Buddy Roemer. An economist and businessman, Roemer wanted to debate the real issues concerning our country’s future, rather than reigniting old distracting issues like Roe v. Wade, especially when our nation’s economic future has been declining.

America’s problems are self-inflicted and growing. To improve the chances for more fair dealings in government, voters must better inform themselves and consider participation with nonpartisan groups like NoLabels.org and others to promote change, restore accountability and get government working again. There is no room for party politics and “to the highest bidder goes the spoils” when your children’s and our nation’s future is at stake. If you don’t speak up, exercise your brain and vote at election time, you make it easier for the voting process to be subverted by corporations, superPac advertisers, and the same old two-party gatekeeper control system. And then, the lobbyists are all in — vying with each other to win the influence bids and seize control of taxpayer funded government. Ultimately it is the lobbyists who control Congress and loot America’s wealth while simultaneously hijacking the legitimate business of the people.

Participate, think and vote! Our standard of living will most certainly continue to decline if we don’t try. Ask yourself if, and why, our so-called “democratic” system truly offers a majority- or minority-dominated government.

 Leila Baroody
Lakeville

 Introduced to ramps on the AT

Your “Food for Health” story on ramps (“Take this chance to cook on the wild side,” April 12) took us on a one-track fast trip back to our 2003 Appalachian Trail thru-hike.

It was Palm Sunday, and we were hiking up Roan Mountain along the North Carolina and Tennessee border. As we made our way gently upward along the well-forested trail, we noticed little clutches of folks working with the ground cover, and we stopped long enough to learn that they were gathering ramps. And that’s where we first met ramps. The day and our hike went on, and like so many of our days that trail-year, the weather took us into a memorable deluge, this one made of sleet and all part of the memory.

Fast forward to our life here, and like you, we have found our own special secret ramp stash, just sort of like you have described — and we are treating it gently so as to preserve it carefully. In our hiking adventures over the years we have been to “ramp fests” in the West Virginia hills where they know the likes of mashed potatoes enhanced with minced ramps and ramp salads and everything but ramp ice cream. Thanks for the wonderful and “small world” trip down memory lane.

Happy trails, from Mama Lipton and Flatlander, AT2003.

 Sue Spring  & Tom Evans
Lakeville

 No thanks, NRA

Thank you National Rifle Association for interpreting the founding fathers’ wishes and becoming our elected governing body of morals and related issues. Thanks to you I upgraded my single-round musket to all kinds of repeating rifles, then on to semi- and fully automatic. Soon a rocket launcher will be in my garage and on the horizon my personal nuclear device. Can’t wait!

 Michael Kahler
Lakeville

 Support our students on May 8

On May 8, Region One voters will be asked to answer two questions: approval of the regional budget of $15.4 million and approval of a bond issue of $3.1 million.

The bond comprises three components: roof, heating and ADA. The roof project is the largest and replaces the original slate roof, which dates to 1939. The heating units are over 30 years old. The new units will provide more energy efficiency and should pay for themselves. ADA compliance is required by law. The bond process has been structured to have as small of an impact as possible on year-to-year budgets.

The budget reflects a 1.97 percent overall increase. Commitments have been made to technology of $163,000 and to Plant and Operations of $163,000. The first is to provide the faculty and students with up-to-date tools for teaching and learning. A technological skill set is important for the students’ post-high-school careers. P&O is to refurbish outdated facilities not covered by the bond. These commitments are possible in part because of savings in benefits of $40,000, a decrease in debt service and transportation of $12,000 and a decrease in Special Education of $94,000.

But, the numbers are not the real point. A budget is more than just dollars and cents, it is a reflection of the community’s commitment to education. So, what does this budget reflect and support? The following:

A faculty that is mature, experienced and highly degreed. They work hard and are dedicated and supportive of the community. The evidence for this is their new three-year contract.

A dynamic new high-school administration working toward taking our students to new achievement heights with a sound curriculum updated to reflect technology.

The new Mahoney-Hewat Science and Technology Center will be a science and technology hub for the region. Future events may include joint bio-fuel experiments or area wide robotics competitions with other schools. Middle school science teachers and students already are getting advanced science help through the center. The home for our award-winning Robotics and Envirothon teams.

The modernization of the science department. New technological equipment will replace equipment dating to the 1970s, allowing our students to be proficient with college-level science tools.

Added technology for our award-winning music department to enhance music theory.

The Art Garage where aspiring artists can go after school to experiment and get help from local artists.

Athletics at Housatonic compete at a high level in the Berkshire league. Athletics provide teamwork and discipline. Important skills for future careers.

And the above is only the tip of the iceberg. As you can see, just as the budget is not only about dollars, Housatonic does not only teach to the basics. Housatonic is a comprehensive high school that teaches to the whole student. That’s the school’s mission and I hope the community’s commitment.

So, on May 8, please show your support for our students.

 Jonathan Moore, Region One Board member
Kent

 Republicans?

I’d like to question reporter Karen Bartomioli’s quote in the April 19 Lakeville Journal (“Cornwall Republicans prepare for primary”) that “the people who first came to Cornwall three centuries ago were Yankee Republicans.”

They couldn’t have been Republicans because that once wonderful party didn’t get its start until the 1850s, a few years before Lincoln became president.

Then I have another thought. In that same issue of the LJ there’s a letter from another person named Bartomioli, first name Paul. He castigates The Journal for opposing the death penalty “despite polls showing a range of 67 percent to 75 percent of Connecticut residents in favor of the death penalty.”

My thought: must editorials always support the majority? Think about that. What if a Southern newspaper had supported Lincoln’s freeing of the slaves? What if some German newspaper had opposed Hitler’s destruction of European Jewry? Mr. B: think Freedom of the Press!

 John Miller
Cornwall Bridge

  Generous hosts
Crescendo and its board of directors would like to thank Sarah and Tom Morrison, Beth and Jack Isler, Jim Montanari and Dan Dwyer, Helen and Tony Scoville, and Arete Warren and Elaine LaRoche for generously hosting the benefit dinners following the concerts last Saturday and Sunday.

We were very pleased by the support in the community and know that this effort makes it possible for Crescendo to continue providing the high level of performances it has become known for.

Thanks also go to the ensemble performers and recorder players who donated their time and talent to make this concert such a success. We are ever indebted to the passion and hard work provided by Christine Gevert, our artistic director.

As with all arts groups, your support is crucial. Thank you!

 Jo Loi, for the benefit committee
Lakeville

 Pass Region One budget

There is a rumor going around that claims that by voting down the Region One budget, a “message” will be sent that some are displeased with current contract negotiations for the Central Office. Nothing could be further from the truth. If the Region One budget gets turned down, then programs will be cut. That means that my son or your daughter or your grandson may not be able to excel in a program in academics, arts, music or sports because it won’t exist anymore. That means less opportunity for learning and succeeding in the future. It does not mean that any contracts will be changed.

I am a member of a school board in Region One. I am one of 45 evaluators of the superintendent, who, as evidenced by her evaluation, is doing a commendable job, as does the Central Office. Most members of these boards volunteer many hours of their time to attend meetings, speak with concerned residents and remain involved and informed about what really goes on in the region’s schools. They are true advocates for the kids! Other members choose to perseverate on old “issues,” costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars, giving them misinformation and continuing some personal vendetta during meetings that should be about the curriculum and issues directly regarding the students. Frankly, the behavior is offensive and disrespectful to me and other board members who wish to remain on task. My hours are precious and having to sit through a Region One board meeting where there are constant innuendos and interruptions is disturbing and the accessory comments and conversations of the “groupies” in the audience is infuriating.

Those of us who approved these well-worked and reworked budgets believe in this budget. Please consider our devotion, our hours and our investment to the people in this region and vote the budget through.

 Irene Hurlburt
Cornwall