Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Letters to the Editor - 1-25-24

Reelect Jahana Hayes: The Right Choice

The State of Florida now has accepted one million signatures from voters to put a woman’s right to choose on the 2024 ballot. Republicans have fought against abortion rights all over the country and Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, has proposed to his Republican legislature, a six week abortion law. Most women do not know they are pregnant at six weeks.

Our Congresswoman, Jahana Hayes, is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus and she is compassionate about helping women who must face these important health issues. She has been pushing this Republican Congress, to force a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act,which would put into law reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy for all seeking abortion care. Her Republican opponent in the 2024 election, would not vote to make women’s right to choose a national law.

It is so important to re-elect Jahana Hayes this November 2024, so she can make women’s health issues a national law and that would protect all women in the USA.

Lizbeth Piel

Sharon


FCH is neglecting the primary mission

The paper presented an impressive celebration of the 20 years’ work by the Foundation for Community Health, initially funded by the assets from the proceeds of the conversion of Sharon Hospital, carefully cataloged as well as the subject of the Editor’s opinion.

Plainly, Ms. Heaton and her board, currently chaired by Tom Quinn, have been hard at work allocating funds to groups in need in a broader area, beyond its prescribed region (bylaws, Article 1 Section C). They have carefully stewarded the assets by substantially growing them in the past 20 years.

In all of what was shared, it is abundantly clear to me, that today the Foundation for Community Health, does not view supporting access to complete Maternal health care nor the maintenance of the services at the Sharon Hospital as a part of their purpose, despite what the by-laws state (Article 1, Section 1.3A iii) http://www.fchealth.org/who-we-are/financials-policies/

The residents of the Sharon Hospital area, mentioned the bylaws, want the care, state of Connecticut has shown a way, the Office of Health Strategy wrote an impressive decision, the Attorney General agrees, but not this Foundation.

For all their monetary gains in the past 20 years the Foundation is neglecting the primary mission: To maintain and improve the physical and mental Health of all of the residents of the area historically served by Sharon Hospital Inc.

Sharon Hospital united with the Foundation could beacon of caring innovation.

The Foundation could be supporting the maintenance of the maternity and pediatric services at the Sharon Hospital.

This Foundation could create a concierge medical practice beside a family practice which would include birthing at the Sharon Hospital supporting all range of citizens.

This foundation could work with a Medical School to create a rural residency program in family practice, as it once did with nursing students and should do again.

This Foundation could create a dining hall at the Sharon Hospital that could help feed the hungry and guide nutritional programs at the local school and medical facilities.

This Foundation could support the hiring of a chaplain at the Sharon Hospital.

This Foundation could have saved the lab at Sharon Hospital.

In response to the failures of the Foundation, we are forming Friends of Sharon Hospital. Our primary goal is to maintain complete maternal services at the Sharon Hospital, as they have been available for over 110 years.

Do you have a brighter vision for the public health of our community than the current Foundation for Community Health, I know I do. It is my hope you will join our growing assembly by contacting FriendsofSHospital@gmail.com.

Our inaugural activity will be exhibits held in the lobby of the maternity entrance to the hospital. Each exhibit will showcase a town in the Sharon Hospital catchment area and the current birthing services available. The exhibits will be open to the public at times to be determined by Ms. McCulloch, President of the Sharon Hospital.

We welcome your engagement.

Deborah Moore

Sharon

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Pet photo contest

Pet photo contest

Georgie, the resident office dog at The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News.

Natalia Zuckerman

Few things bring as much joy to a household as a pet. Whether they're our loyal companions, our biggest personalities or the ones who somehow manage to run the household, they have a way of making life a little more fun.

From dogs who greet us like we've been gone for years to cats who remind us who's really in charge, our pets bring plenty of character, comfort and a whole lot of love into our homes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Harding concedes State Senate District 30 to Zimmer

Just as polls close, Former District 30 State Senator Stephen Harding greets supporters at his election watch party at The Abby Restaurant & Bar in New Milford, CT, Nov. 3.

Patrick Stachniak

In an unprecedented midterm election the evening of Nov. 3, Democrats across the country flipped battleground races for federal and local representatives in what has been described as a blue tsunami. The results in Connecticut were no different.

Keep ReadingShow less

Small trout, big lasagna and bad movies

Small trout, big lasagna and bad movies

The Men of CACA. From left, the author, Steve DeSimone, and Tom Gallucio.

Gary Dodson

I recently convened the fall meeting of CACA, which stands for Cinema, Angling and Culinary Appreciation.

This takes place in Phoenicia, New York. We fish all day, make a bountiful dinner, and watch the world’s worst movies.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Sharon ambulance captain carries on family tradition of service

Thalia MacMillan

Ruth Epstein

SHARON ­— Whether it’s in her professional work or her community volunteerism, Thalia MacMillan strives to advocate for others. She developed that instinct from her many family members who also have the same calling.

Many in the region know her dad, Stanley MacMillan, who served for decades as a building inspector and fire marshal. Her mother, Grace Kandefer, was a longtime nurse at Sharon Hospital. Both were active volunteer first responders. Her brother Stanley MacMillan, Jr., is a member of the Sharon Fire Department.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon plans replacement of West Cornwall Road bridge

SHARON — The Board of Selectmen and Planning & Zoning Commission have approved new plans to replace the West Cornwall Road bridge over Pine Swamp Brook, just south of the historic covered bridge over the Housatonic River in West Cornwall.

The project has been in the works for three years after a survey determined that the structure was nearing the end of its intended life-span. After passing the P&Z commission, the project now only needs approval from four property owners near the site to begin the bidding process.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salisbury Forum links science, religion and Earth’s future

From left, Sam King, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim discuss how religion and science can be used to address environmental challenges on Oct. 30.

Patrick L. Sullivan

LAKEVILLE — Religious scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim and environmentalist, writer and former Hotchkiss teacher Sam King delivered a presentation at The Hotchkiss School Friday, Oct. 30.

Sponsored by the Salisbury Forum, “Change the Story, Change the World: A New Vision for an Ecological Era” explored how religious tradition and modern science can be used together to address environmental and spiritual challenges.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.