Letters to the editor - July 30, 2015

Thanks for a fantastic Jane Lloyd fundraiser

Last Saturday’s (July 25) radiant blue skies were outmatched only by the radiant spirits that suffused the Jane Lloyd Fund’s 10th annual Clambake on SWSA’s Satre Hill in Salisbury. Hundreds of community members reveled in the event’s infectious joy, buoyed by the knowledge that their support of the Clambake advances the Jane Lloyd Fund’s mission of “helping cancer patients day to day.” 

Following this community’s warm embrace of Jane Lloyd during her valiant battle with cancer, the Lloyd family founded the Jane Lloyd Fund to continue the “circle of generosity and good will.” Every dollar raised since the first clambake in 2006 has gone directly to ease the financial burdens of local cancer patients. The event epitomizes what this community is capable of when it so resolutely works together on behalf of others. We are especially grateful to local businesses whose generous sponsorships have been vital to the event’s impact on local cancer patients. We are also deeply indebted to the scores of nonprofits and dedicated individuals who work tirelessly year after year in service of others. 

All will be appreciatively recognized in an Aug. 6 Lakeville Journal ad, but may our words here begin to convey our humble gratitude for this community’s extraordinary support of the Jane Lloyd Fund.

Donna Lloyd

Tanya Tedder

Caroline Burchfield

Salisbury

How fortunate for us to have such talent, dedication

On July 18, I had the great pleasure of attending “Rip! — The Musical” at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Not only did I experience a heartwarming production due to the storyline, the music (songs and musicians), the talent demonstrated through the acting, costumes, props and the scenery, but I also learned that three of the major contributors to the play are the very people who help with our Housatonic Valley Regional High School plays: Lori Belter, who had a lead role in the play; Michael Berkeley, who wrote and directed the amazing production; and Pamela Chassin, who served as producer invited me to be their guest at the show’s matinee. 

I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. All of these individuals have vast experience with what it takes to put on a high quality performance and this certainly showed through.

How fortunate HVRHS and Region One are to have these talented and dedicated people give of their time and their experience to our students. Opportunities for students to develop increased self-confidence and expand their interests are often found through performance. 

I very much look forward to more shows in our area and at our high school. I want to thank Lori, Pamela and Michael for giving me the chance to see firsthand the talent that we have right here, to offer exposure to exceptional cultural events, and especially for their efforts to provide guidance and support for the students in Region One. 

Pam Vogel

Assistant Superintendent

Regional School 

District One

Falls Village

The public must watch over Region One

The diddling majority has been wasting valuable time deciphering the joint employment of the superintendent and deciding it would undo the legislation governing the weighted voting procedure of the Region One board of education’s Statute Sec. 10-635 Subsection (b) 10-635 and instead charge each of the six towns an equal one-seventh of the superintendent’s contract, and on top of that, extend her contract to 2017. 

Who is busy being certain that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ expectations for improving our ratings is getting the attention of the umpteen boards of education?

A few years ago, before the Pingpank Report, I requested copies of the statutes involving the Region One weighted vote and governance from Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain. She had Marie Wilbur deliver them to my house. My name was misspelled three times differently, so I went to Pat’s office and suggested she sit down and spell it correctly 100 times.

Most of the things that happened after that, I believe, had Pat’s name attached in some fashion: the ABC Committee trying to control the high school; the secretary’s demise, the assistant superintendent’s hiring and departure.

And now, the ABC Committee recommending that we add another year to Pat’s contract and a 15 percent stipend on top of that.

So, will the diddling majority of Region One residents get back to the most important volunteer job of making certain that the NEASC recommendations have all been met?

Priscilla Belcher

Falls Village