Letters to the Editor - Lakeville Journal - 4-19-18

Elizabeth Esty should have a chance to redeem herself

I would like to offer a more generous perspective than the prevailing one regarding Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s recent fall from favor and her decision not to run for re-election in the 5th District in November. On the surface, her handling of her chief of staff Tony Baker’s sexual harassment and assault against aide Anna Kain and other staff members in 2016 shows a lapse of judgment about a volatile and alcoholic personality. Writing a letter of recommendation to facilitate Baker’s move out of Washington seems especially ill-advised. However, Esty’s explanation that she wished to give Kain “space” suggests she was worried that Baker’s presence threatened Kain’s physical safety. 

Further, the evidence against Baker evolved over time, as did the steps Esty took to address the situation. She “demanded counseling” for Baker, “launched an internal review of workplace safety,” and hired a new chief of staff once she learned the extent of Baker’s harassment. 

Unfortunately, these actions weren’t enough to solve the problem of an untenable, even toxic, work environment. Esty has expressed strong regret for her course of action, which I believe should be accepted from someone with her dedication to public service. She has been an exemplary congresswoman, representing the interests of her constituents admirably and with integrity. Until now, her character has been above reproach.  

Besides the issue of maintaining a fair perspective rather than rushing to judgment, it is important to focus on the fact that Esty’s case is different from those involving male elected officials and staffers: She is not the perpetrator of the sexual harassment and assault. This is a case of a non-perpetrator who made mistakes when faced with a difficult, potentially dangerous, situation. While Esty has openly admitted fault, her contrition has been largely disregarded. She is being held to a harsh standard without any chance to redeem herself. 

The 5th District has been fortunate to be represented in Congress by Esty. The same is true of Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, but they, along with other Connecticut Democrats, should not have been so quick to render judgment. Surely they could have allowed Esty time to offer a full explanation, rather than immediately taking a self-interested, safe position. We are in danger of losing an effective representative who has worked diligently to further the interests of her diverse constituency. She should not have felt pressure to abandon re-election so abruptly, a decision I hope she will reconsider. 

Lorraine Kerr Faison

Salisbury

Support Geer in tax dispute

In our community, mission-driven nonprofits play a major role in elder-care. Before my mother died in November, she was able to age with dignity and loving care from Geer Village, Noble Horizons, Sharon Hospital, Salisbury Visiting Nurses and the volunteer ambulance squad. These organizations are there for us when we need them, and now one of them needs all of us. 

Without warning or explanation, Geer’s tax-exempt status, in place for nearly 50 years, was denied by the North Canaan tax assessor. If upheld, Geer will be charged more than $500,000 in extra taxes, a jarring blow that is unsustainable without drastic cutbacks to its workforce and services.  

This is a catastrophic situation for Geer, North Canaan and the entire region that Geer serves. Geer is critical to North Canaan, providing not only senior care, but good-paying jobs, community space, community medical and health services and transportation (Dial-a-Ride). Any short-term gain enjoyed by the town’s coffers would be wiped out by the devastation to the community.   

The absence of warning and rationale are unconscionable. Geer presented a compelling and thorough legal defense at the appeals board hearing, but if the ruling is upheld the ensuing litigation will be costly for everyone and a waste of precious public resources. 

If legislation can provide clarity and avoid wasteful litigation, I pledge to make that a top priority if I am elected to the State House of Representatives in November. 

You can join me in supporting Geer by signing its petition: www.geercares.org/we-need-your-support.

Maria Horn

Lakeville

Bear in mind …

One damp, late summer afternoon, a very large black dog bee-lined across my backyard — until I realized it wasn’t a dog. It was a large black bear heading toward a walnut tree near my studio. He slowly climbed up to a crook before testing the bough, then branched out onto the limb. Curling up into a furry ball, he dozed off. I called the Connecticut Department of Animal Control to ask them what I should do. Their response: “Don’t worry. That bear probably wanted to get out of the rain and take a nap. When he wakes up, he’ll be on his way.” An hour later he was on his way.

Are black bears dangerous? Statistics show that 61 people have been reportedly killed by black bears…since 1900. Even in Alaska, black bear country, there were two maulings reported in 2017, but only six deaths reported in 130 years. We have more to fear from the hunters’ guns, and the rampant sales of assault rifles in this country. Let our teenagers not only campaign with passion for gun control, but also demonstrate compassion and support for these majestic animals. 

I wholly agree with Anthy Hellmers (Lakeville Journal letter to the editor, April 5) that neighbors can help control the bear population by keeping their trash and compost heaps covered in bear-proof containers and bird feeders out of the bears’ range. 

Some neighboring states have limited bear hunts, New York and Massachusetts to name a couple. New Jersey, under the leadership of Chris Christie, reinstated a bear hunt in 2010, but in 2018 there is an expected moratorium. In 2015, Florida approved a limited bear hunt, but canceled it after one year due to citizens’ objections. It has not been reinstated. 

Please vote “no” to opening a black bear hunting season in Connecticut. Let’s object to this disturbing idea of trophy hunting before it’s too late, and find new ways to appreciate nature, rather than erase it. 

Rita Marshall

Lakeville

HVRHS grading system repercussions

As a concerned parent of a freshman at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, I find it remarkable the extent to which the superintendent, chairman of the Board of Ed (BOE) and a couple other board members will go to ignore, deny and callously dismiss the existence of serious problems within the new grading system.

While I generally agree with and could support the principles of the Mastery Learning Concept, I believe the poorly planned and implemented system has created a toxic learning environment for students at all levels. 

Students, teachers and parents have all voiced similar and consistent concerns, and can concretely point out flaws in the system that are directly affecting student performance and learning. 

To date, the superintendent, with full support of the chairman, is intent on denying the ongoing issues, and instead discredit individuals, including teachers, that may speak in opposition of them. See letter to the editor, Republican American, April 15.

Additionally, in the absence of any transparent evaluation or supportive data, the parents, teachers, administrators and especially the BOE, have no clue what actual learning is taking place in comparison to last year’s “old” system of grading.

I scratch my head wondering why so much effort is being put forth to blindly push forward with this broken system at the expense of actual and productive learning experiences. They seem to have lost sight of what is most important- EDUCATION, and instead are focused more on proving they are right. 

It’s not a contest that the parent and teachers are trying to win.

It’s a legitimate concern for their children’s education, and it’s their right to speak up. It’s also the duty of the BOE and the administration to listen.

Some of BOE members have lost sight of an important duty, oversight of their charge, the superintendent. 

Why would a group of individuals, whose interest seems to be in education, not want to work with those closest to the students (the parents and teachers) to build the best possible education system?

Instead, those furthest from the learning process rigidly control it.

As one parent, I have lost faith in their abilities to oversee and govern this administration and our education system.

Parents do not need to tolerate the superintendent’s experimenting with our children’s education.

Maybe its time for some new faces.

In the meantime, vote “no” on the Region One School District Education Budget.

Doug Cohn

Falls Village

National Day of Prayer

I am pleased that once again our community will take part in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3. I want to share a little of this day’s history with you. Of course, prayer in our nation goes right back to its founding, but let’s make it more current so we can identify with it. 

By a joint resolution, the 1952 Congress created the National Day of Prayer and President Harry S. Truman signed it into law. Then, by Public Law 100-307 unanimously passed by the Senate and the House in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed it into law designating the first Thursday in May as an annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. The Senate and House then passed Public Law 105-225 and President William Clinton signed it into law stating that the president shall proclaim the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer.  

Every President since Harry S. Truman has proclaimed the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer and I am thankful for their faithfulness. This day is being observed in every town in Connecticut and across our nation. Thank you for uniting with the Salisbury event next to the Salisbury Town Hall Thursday, May 3, at 6pm.

Marie Barnum

Salisbury 

Thanks for the cards for Bertha

This note is long overdue, but I just have to say thank you for putting the notice in the paper about Bertha Fowlkes turning 95 this past March.

She received a good number of cards from former neighbors and friends with such sweet notes. She was truly touched by those folks who reminded her of what a special person she is.

Joe and I drove to Montgomery from our home in Florida and surprised her on her birthday. The seven hours up on March 8 and seven hours back after we left her house on March 9 were so worth the trip. She was overwhelmed! We benefited far more than she did.

Her daughter, Mamie, her two grandsons and two great-grandsons, along with a good number of wonderful friends, all enjoyed being with Bertha to help her celebrate.

Again, thank you to The Lakeville Journal, Janet Manko and Cynthia Hochswender,  and  to RobinHood Radio and Marshall Miles, for helping make a special human being so happy! 

Maggie & Joe Fraser

The Villages, Florida