Letters to the editor - July 31, 2014

Dictionary Act of 1871 doesn’t change Constitution

Sharon resident Jim Buckley is an articulate jurist who is known for helping to smooth ruffled feathers in controversial Federal Appellate Court cases. In this vein, Jim wrote a letter to The Lakeville Journal, July 24, 2014, supporting the Supreme Court’s decision in the recent case of Hobby Lobby, a closely held corporation, whose Constitutional right of free exercise of religious belief, the Court said, allowed it to deny family planning services insurance under Obamacare to its employees.

Jim cites the Court’s position that because the Freedom of Religion Restoration Act of 1993, which prohibits the government from burdening a person’s exercise of religion, doesn’t define “person,” we must consult the Dictionary Act of 1871 which defines “persons” as potentially including corporations as well as individuals. The Hobby Lobby corporation was thought to be especially worthy of constitutional protection because it is “closely held” by a single family with strong religious beliefs, including opposition to birth control. (What their more numerous employees believe is apparently a different question.)

Actually, the Dictionary Act of 1871, adopted over three-quarters of a century later than the U.S. Constitution, was intended to provide some practical guidance for Congress, the courts and others in the choice and interpretation of future legislative vocabulary. For example, it has proved convenient to refer to lawsuit plaintiffs and defendants as “parties” or “persons” in a court of law, whether they are individuals or corporations. It makes practical sense. But this legislation does not, nor can it, retroactively change the wording, scope or meaning of the U.S. Constitution, which was written and adopted in 1787. Legislation cannot add a class of formerly excluded “persons” such as corporations or perhaps even, a group I support, raccoons. That would require a constitutional amendment.

If “person” under the Constitution suddenly meant  “corporation,” thanks to the Dictionary Act, then I suppose that under Article  II of the U.S. Constitution a corporation that has attained to the age of 35 years and has been 14 years registered in the U.S., would be eligible for the office of president. Maybe that would be a good thing. So, in November 2016 we could all go to the polls and vote for Hillary Clinton, Gov. Rick Perry, or Wal-Mart. 

My best personal guess is that Jim, like myself, probably prefers raccoons to corporations, as “people.” In support of this idea, it should be noted that the Library of Congress has issued an official ISBN number to “Raccoons are the Brightest People.” Personally, I would like to see passage of a “Freedom of Raccoons Restoration Act,” which, when combined with the Dictionary Act of 1871, would modify the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution effectively to read: “We the People, including Raccoons, do ordain and establish this Constitution.” Raccoons would have all the Constitutional rights and privileges of “People” and would live happily ever after — a win-win for all.

Tony Piel

Sharon 

Who benefits from hospital’s tax break?

I am responding to your recent article on Sharon Hospital, which reported a significant decrease in income for 2013. Their annual report for 2013 showed a declining net income of $82,795 down from $1,449,965 for 2012, reflecting the hospital management’s difficulty in turning a profit due to reductions in governmental reimbursements. This led to recent action by state Rep. Roberta Willis and state Sen. Clark Chapin spearheading legislation which will relieve Sharon Hospital, a private for-profit business, of their duty to pay sales tax for the next three years. The hospital will save an estimated $50,000 monthly over the next three years, or $1.8 million in total sales tax expense on hospital purchases.

Surprisingly, after I checked the hospital’s audited financial statements, I found that the actual financial facts are quite different, and I believe Sharon Hospital is showing increased profitability. One of these sets of numbers is wrong; and worse, the state authorities aren’t doing their job in checking the numbers. It is possible that Connecticut taxpayers are losing out in favor of a for-profit corporation. This, I believe, is a corporate bailout without a demonstrated need.

In checking Sharon Hospital’s financial results with the state’s Office of Health Care Access, I found that the official audited statements of Sharon Hospital/Essent Healthcare of Connecticut for their fiscal years ending Sept. 30, 2013, and 2012, prepared by Ernst & Young LLP, a national accounting firm, showed that the hospital lost $20,601 in 2012 but turned around and improved dramatically in 2013, showing a net profit of $1,524,277. Moreover, if we add back fees for corporate office expense that Sharon Hospital pays to its direct owner, RegionalCare Hospital Partners, of $1,623,609 for 2013 and $2,042,310 for 2012, Sharon Hospital itself is revealed to be even more profitable, in my assessment. 

So, who is ultimately getting the benefit of Connecticut’s sales tax gift to Sharon Hospital? The answer is Warburg Pincus, the largest equity investor in RegionalCare with a $300 million investment.  And who is Warburg Pincus? They are a New York-based private equity firm with over $48 billion in managed assets, whose president is Timothy Geithner, our former U.S. Treasury Secretary. Clearly, this issue must be looked at.

Victor Germack

Salisbury

Willis fan forever

There I was in the middle of my prep-day for a colonoscopy at Sharon Hospital. No fun and worse than the actual procedure. Anyway, I’m sitting there when I hear a car come up the driveway. So, with a great deal of effort, I slog out to the front door in time to see a man walking to his car. I call out that it’s a bad time, and he departs telling me he’s left some literature in my door. It turns out it was a visit by Mark Lauretano and it was probably a good thing we missed each other, a conclusion I came to after reading his campaign literature. Plus he’s running for State Rep in our 64th Assembly District, a seat held for some time by the divine Roberta Willis. No way I’m voting against her.

The Lauretano literature had some terrific pictures of the candidate in his Marine dress blues, standing tall as a state trooper, hat pulled slightly over his eyes, gun in holster.

My favorites, however, were a picture with his two cute boys and another with the family puppy identified as “Maggie.” Was the urge to support a good father who clearly loves his dog more than I can overcome? Stay tuned. I will now look into where Roberta stands on dogs and children. One other thing, Mr. L’s pamphlet included the 2014 schedules of both the Yankees and Red Sox. So on some issues the gentleman is non-partisan.

John Miller

Cornwall Bridge

Support the  Jane Lloyd Fund

Do we really understand the need in our Northwest Corner or do we really think it is nice and cozy in our neck of the woods? Do we really understand that cancer affects all of us at some point? The Jane Lloyd Fund is in need of our support! Do you really think that life goes on day in and day out without adversities? Think again!

You never know when cancer is going to knock on your door, or your family’s door. If it does, what will you do? We do not know if or when it will happen to us, but it might. It happened to my family, and we were fortunate that the Jane Lloyd Fund was available to help us. But the Jane Lloyd Fund is not always going to be available if we all do not continue to support it.

From what I understand the fund is in need of our support. I attended the annual clambake this past Saturday in Salisbury as so many did. However, those of you who did not attend can also make a donation to help make a difference in someone’s life who is suffering from cancer. Please support the fund in whatever way you can. My family was affected by cancer, has yours been? Will yours? One never knows, but you may need the Jane Lloyd Fund in the future.

But if it is not supported, it may not be there in the time of need. Please donate to this special fund that helps so many families in our area. You may never know if your family may be in need some day. Contact the Jane Lloyd Fund if you would like to make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to read this. May you have a blessed day.

Garma Waldron

Lakeville

‘Oh, how he made us smile’

My little cat was hit and killed by a car today

I know my little orange Tabby was “just a cat”

But he could have been a walker, a bicyclist or your child.

Like a child, we loved him very much.

I woke up with him this morning; he stretched and purred when I opened my eyes.

Oh, how he made us smile. 

I know my little orange Tabby was “just a cat”

But he could have been you, your best friend or any member of your family.

On this sad, sad day I beg you to pay attention to speed limits.

I beg you to get off your “smart” phones when you drive.

I assure you, that you don’t want to experience the pain and loss of a loved one. 

Or be the one who caused it.

Amy Schuchat

Sharon

We spend too much

The two lead articles in the July 24 Journal remind us that government creates no wealth, only transfers it, and usually to gain votes for the incumbents. We learned that the state Bond Commission will be approving total grants of $600,000 to two towns in the 64th District, which are eligible for grants because they are not distressed municipalities. Next year’s state budget calls for a record $3.4 billion in bond authorizations, so that’s an indication where the money will come from to fund such “quality-of-life projects.”

In November either Brian Ohler or Mark Lauretano will be running against incumbent Roberta Willis, who gives herself credit for moving quickly to “obtain the funding.” The central theme of these two GOP candidates, as presented in the Journal article, is the critical need to suppress overspending by our Democrat representatives. Connecticut ranks at or near the bottom in every national survey of financial strength. How bad do things have to get before the voters finally put a damper on costly government largesse?

Peter Becket

Lakeville

It was a fabulous day of golf

I wish to thank everyone who helped make the 2014 Sharon Lions Club Golf Tournament a tremendous success. This year we will net over $6,000, which will be distributed to local students for scholarships toward higher education.

We wish to particularly thank the beautiful Egremont Country Club for a fabulous day of golf, great food and excellent beverages. We wish to thank all our sponsors who were so generous this year and all the businesses and individuals who provided all the fabulous raffle prizes.

We would like to especially thank all the golfers, who, despite the dicey forecast that morning, showed up and played. As it turned out, the weather could not have been better.

Finally, I would like to thank our committee and volunteers; Wendy Anderson, Jen Bosworth, Sue Cummings, Wallie MacMillan, Barc Prindle, Howard Randall, Amy Schuchat and Rudi Stoer. It was not only a successful tournament, but everyone had a blast for a very important cause. Thank you all so much.

Liz Wendover, Chairman

Sharon Lions Club Golf Tournament

Sharon

The Fylers were so generous

The Falls Village Daycare would like to acknowledge the generous donation to our playground fund from the Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny R. Fyler Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut. This grant will be used to support the purchase of playground equipment for the preschool area.

The FVDCC’s mission is to ensure that the children who are enrolled at our center have the opportunity to exert that endless energy in a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your support.

Heather Mechare

Falls Village

A great clambake: Thanks for the support, good will

Buoyed by brilliant blue skies, spirits soared at the ninth annual Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake at SWSA’s Satre Hill last Saturday, July 26. The clambake epitomizes the joy our community derives and creates from its work together; every segment of our community contributed time, talent, funds and a resolute commitment to enhance the vital work of the Jane Lloyd Fund. Lifelong Salisbury native Jane Lloyd’s valiant battle against breast cancer was eased by the unrelenting support of this community, and it was “with joyous hearts that the Jane Lloyd Fund was established to benefit cancer patients in financial need and to continue the circle of generosity and good will.”

In addition to SWSA, which has so graciously hosted the clambake since its inception in 2006, the Jane Lloyd Fund is grateful to the scores of generous sponsors and donors (named in our ad in this issue), countless hard working volunteers, and, of course, the many who enjoyed and supported the clambake. The extraordinary commitment by so many ensures that 100 percent of the clambake’s proceeds will advance the Jane Lloyd Fund’s mission of “helping cancer patients day to day.

As the fund’s most important fundraiser, the clambake’s success directly impacts the number of families who can be helped. We are indebted to this community for its warm embrace of the clambake and to the extraordinary group of sponsors, donors and volunteers who are so committed to making a difference in the lives of those struck by cancer.

Tanya Tedder and Caroline Kenny Burchfield 

On behalf of the Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake Committee

Salisbury 

Let’s all go back

Let’s go back to the original view

On politics and what to do

Volunteer two years to the public good

You’ll do your best that’s understood

Back to your life when your stint is ended

Your work has made you feel just splendid

No pension or other perks are due

Monetary benefit does not accrue

All citizens do their best

And the needs of all are addressed

Michael Kahler

Lakeville