Norfolk HUB was filled with residents eager to learn about the multi-year roadwork on Route 44. Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Amy Hare presented details of the plan and answered all audience questions. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during work to construct a new retaining wall. The wall will be 42-feet at its highest and will take up to five years to complete. A major truck detour will add approximately 40 minutes of drive time for freight haulers. Full story here.
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Our national parks, under threat
Kathy Herald-Marlowe
Oct 14, 2026
The idea of preserving in a national grouping such spots of scenic beauty and historic memory originated here in this country...In Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, other countries have followed our pioneering example and set aside their most magnificent scenic areas as national treasures for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
— Dwight D. Eisenhower
For the first century of our nation, there was an abundance of space, people sought gold in the territories, established farms on the flat lands of the mid-West, needed to surmount the Rockies to reach Pacific treasures, fought American natives who had inhabited these lands for 15,000 to 20,000 years. Struggles for the land, its ownership was paramount yet “spacious skies” and “purple mountain majesty” were not under threat. In 1872, the first national park, Yellowstone, 3,474 sq miles, in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined, was signed into legislature-The Yellowstone National Park Protection Act by Ulysess Grant. Yellowstone was not only the first US national park, it was first national park in the world.
Presidents over the centuries have been steadfast advocates of national parks. In 1916, the National Park Services was birthed to build capacity, expertise for managing burgeoning natural treasures, to protect these lands for the people of the United States – 330 million visitors a year to 433 units covering 85 million acres across 50 states, DC and US territories. National parks, their expansion and protection has never been partisan – from Grant to Teddy Roosevelt, to Harding, to FDR, to Eisenhower, to Carter, to Clinton, to the Bushes, to Obama, to Biden.National Parks have for over a century been irrefutably Presidential–associated with Presidents giving significant attention and funding to preserving the natural beauty of this nation – for the pleasure of the people, for prosperity.
Currently, President Trump who has stated “America’s vast and wondrous national parks stand at the heart of our story, preserving the lands our ancestors cherished and the unmatched splendor of a continent like no other” yet Trump has cut Park staffs by over 25% while seizing moneys allocated by the Congress to Park maintenance, upgrades, and refurbishing for his DC beautification projects –these reallocations, blocked grants, were not reviewed, not condoned by Congress.
Over the years, we the people have been proud and dismayed by the policies and actions of Presidents of the nation, occupants of the White House (all but Washington resided there). Scandals have come in our past, hindering our progression: Andrew Johnson’s Presidential support of Jim Crow laws, Nixon’s Watergate, Harding’s Teapot Dome; Regan’s Iran-Contra Affair, Clinton’ Lewinsky Affair.Trump adds another Presidential scandal done unto the National Parks: diverting $90 million from park entrance revenues to his DC vanity projects along with millions designated by Congress for 131 repair and renovation projects. As of November 26, 2025, Non-US residents 16 and older must pay a $100 per-person surcharge beyond standard individual or vehicle entrance fees for the 11 most highly visited parks – Executive Order 14314 “Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks.” Before January, 2026, Park annual fees for US residents as well as Non-US residents were $80, after that date an increase for Non-US residents to $250 annually.
There are so many outrages in Trump’s policies, behaviors with so many negative impacts on so many be they immigrants, FBI agents, military brass, or just everyday go-to-the-grocery, stop-for-gas Americans.Here is yet another starling attack –another loss of what had been sustained Presidential honor and pride-Trump actions to undermine, diminish, demolish our nation’s natural wonders-our national parks.How to stop him.
Kathy Herald-Marlowe lives in Sharon.
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Letters to the Editor - October 15, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Oct 14, 2026
Why can’t the Bauer Fund be tapped for train station?
One of the pleasures—and prerogatives—of living in our town is the opportunity to participate in Town Meetings. Neighbors may disagree, sometimes passionately, but discussions are (usually) remarkably civil. In an era of poisonous national politics, it’s reassuring to participate in democracy on this local level.
At a special Town Meeting on September 16, residents voted to authorize spending up to $650,000 to save one of our town’s most historic buildings, the old Lakeville Railroad Station.
The question now is how to pay for it.
At its September 22 meeting, the Board of Finance decided against using money from the Bauer Fund, which currently holds approximately $3 million. Instead, it proposed drawing on the Town’s debt reduction account, which has approximately $725,000 available. That decision requires approval at another special Town Meeting.
The Bauer Fund was established in the 1950s, in part, to maintain property that Frederick Bauer helped the Town acquire, including the Railroad Station and its surrounding land. Over the years, the Fund funded improvements to the Town Grove and Bauer Park.
If you share my curiosity about why the Bauer Fund can’t be tapped in this instance, attend the special Town Meeting on Thursday, October 15, at 7 p.m., either in person at Town Hall or remotely via Zoom. The meeting link is available on the Town’s website.
Town Meetings are more than a New England tradition. They’re an opportunity—and a responsibility—to take part in decisions that shape the place we call home.
Helen Klein Ross
Lakeville
Chris Shea for 5th Congressional District
Did you know the DOJ has designated Connecticut as a sanctuary state?Did you know that Hartford and our current Congressional Representative to Congress have no problem with this?Did you know that means people here illegally are protected as a privileged class at the expense of you the taxpayer?As a taxpayer, legal resident and voter this progressive policy of socialism must be stopped.This November, whether by absentee ballot, Early Voting or on November 3rd elect Chris Shea to the 5th Congressional District.He’s a former Navy Seal who served us.Now he is a Lieutenant in the North Haven fire department serving us. Also, he is the founder of “Hero to Hero” which serves to acclimate veterans back into the workforce.Chris Shea a veteran, firefighter – not a politician- can be counted on in Washington to support free market capitalism.See you at the polls when you vote for Chris Shea for the 5th Congressional District to Washington.
Marie Barnum
Salisbury
Reelect Horn who listens and takes action
There are so many extraordinary aspects to Maria Horn’s career that everyone probably has a different ‘wow’ feature, depending on personalexperience. For me, I’m perpetually struck by the fact that once she’s introduced to someone, she will always remember the name.
More importantly, I’m struck by how this attorney, who had such a significant New York City career, moved to CT and became the Representative for nine largely rural towns. What’s on her docket? Forests, mountains, various water features, Region One schools, health care facilities, villages, and farms.
My mind can hardly encompass the specialized knowledge needed to deal effectively with the broad range of issues produced by such a varied remit. Which leads me to that last item, surely the most remote from Ms. Horn’s previous New York experience, but historically significant in the 64th House District, is farming. Before the Erie Canal transported easterners west, CT was a farming state. Climb any of our scenic mountain trails, look out at the landscape spreading below you, and all you see is trees, as though there were no towns.
But though the northwest corner is now 80% forested, 20% developed, this is the exact reverse of a previous situation when the iron industry cleared the land of trees in order to make charcoal; the rocks that seemed to be a major product of the land became stone walls; and farming was the main activity. What’s left of that history may be a minor aspect of present CT, but historically the northwest corner likes to think of itself as a rural area.
Witness the number of local farms that show up every summer at Farmer’s Markets, each town drawing from its locale, as though our small state was significantly larger.
After Horn decided to run for office the first thing she did was a lot of listening. When she was elected, one of her early efforts was SB1063, legislation to improve farmland availability for first-time farmers. Farming is dependent on weather and there have been destructive storms that our Representative followed up on to get relief for farmers. The Community Investment Act Fund was focused on assisting dairy farms. HB 5345 took aim at preserving valuable farmland.
And then there are the farm adjacent issues, such as air quality and recycling that have drawn her attention. Once a subject is brought to her, the result is usually action. That means rounding up support for what is no longer the first issue on people’s minds in the state. Judging by the measures she has seen become law, she is skilled at negotiating to get that support. Let’s keep Maria where she can make a difference in such long range issues as keeping our land healthy, productive, and beautiful.
Betty Krasne
Kent
Vote early
October 17th is No Kings/Early VotingDay.
Salisbury is joining the national No Kings/ Early Voting Dayof actionson Saturday, October 17 on the Green at routes 41 and 44, in front of the White Hart Inn.
We hope to see you there, wearing blue and waving signs.
We will BE the blue wave. Weather permitting, a voter registration table will be set up from 11 a.m. to 4p.m.with registration material.The main event will be from 11 a.m. to noon, but please drop by any time during the day. Hope to see you then.
Sophia deBoer
Salisbury
Reelect Harding for 30th
As a relative newcomer to voting in elections, I was raised to research the records of the candidates and to vote for the best ones. State Senator Steve Harding is running again and has been exceptional as the Senate Minority Leader. Against relentless opposition he has hammered away at getting legislative support for businesses and reducing residential electricity rates (the 2nd highest in the country last year). Along with this State Senator Steve Harding has helped secure many grants that help preserve our towns local breathtaking beautiful landscapes and hiking trails so many can enjoy them for years to come. I wrote this letter to give my support to State Senator Steve Harding who is running for reelection in the 30th district.
Abigail Silvernail
Lakeville
Ploys won’t make life affordable for Americans
This election is so crucial because Republicans in Congress have handed over many of their Constitutional duties to the executive branch, namely President Trump. These duties include the power of the purse and the power to declare war. They have given these constitutionally-mandated responsibilities to Trump out of fear of retaliation, or a mistaken belief Trump will do right. One result: his and Hegseth’s Iran War has gone on for seven and a half months with no end in sight at the cost of $44 billion. Iran now controls the Straits of Hormuz and isn’t giving up. This war is why gas and diesel prices and inflation continue to go up.
As a pre-election ploy Trump has now negotiated a deal with Putin for Russian diesel, thereby paying Russia for fuel Trump’s own war has made so costly. Trump doesn’t care that Putin provides Iran with drones and other weapons to use in its fight against us.
On the personal side Kushner negotiates business deals in Russia, Saudi Arabia etc. for the Trump Family.The mind boggles at this open and unrestrained corruption.
Why haven’t the Republican Senators & representatives intervened to stop Trump’s war, which is also increasing the on-going affordability crisis, and why didRepublicans agree with Trump’s presser to reduce SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare benefits so as to pass tax cuts that mostly benefit rich people and corporations
I could provide more examples but you can see why it is so important to elect Democrats to Congress, and at every level, who will put the brakes on Trump and fight to make life affordable for ordinary Americans.
Barbara Maltby
Salisbury
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Let's Hear It - October 15, 2026
Lakeville Journal
Oct 14, 2026
This Week
A recent survey on Region 1 schools’ organizational structure found residents evenly divided on whether to keep the current K–8 school system in each town or establish a regional middle school.
Do you think Region 1 should consolidate schools or maintain the current system?
Send your responses to social@lakevillejournal.com by Monday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. or comment on Facebook or Instagram.
We’ll publish a selection in next week’s paper.
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The Census Bureau is shutting out local data experts
Sarah Eisele-Dyrli & Michelle Riordan-Nold
Oct 14, 2026
Every ten years, the federal decennial census data informs two things that shape Connecticut’s future: how many seats we get in Congress and how many dollars go to our schools, roads and transit systems, and healthcare programs.
Right now, the U.S. Census Bureau is quietly rewriting the rules for how people will be counted in 2030. These rules will change 250 years of precedent and will disadvantage Connecticut. But instead of working with state leaders to get it right, federal officials have done something alarming: They have stopped talking to us altogether .
Our elected leaders in Hartford and Washington cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. If Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General William Tong, and our congressional delegation do not step in immediately to demand answers and transparency, Connecticut risks getting shortchanged for an entire decade.
Here is what is happening behind closed doors. On Sept. 10, the Census Bureau published a proposal in the Federal Register that could fundamentally alter “residence criteria” for the 2030 count. These rules decide where snowbirds, college students, incarcerated individuals, military members, and immigrants are counted.
Shift a definition by a few words, and you shift millions of dollars from Connecticut towns to other states.
When data experts from state data centers across the country gathered at Census headquarters in Maryland recently to ask standard technical questions, they were read a pre-scripted statement: Bureau staff were forbidden from answering any questions about the new residency rules.
Days later, regional meetings between Census officials and Northeast state representatives were abruptly canceled, with local experts told that Census Bureau staff are now banned from meeting with external partners to discuss Census 2030 preparations.
This is not routine administrative noise. It is a directive to silence the local partners tasked with making sure every Connecticut resident is counted once, only once, and in the right place. It is a deliberate assault on government transparency.
This is where our state’s political leadership must step in. Federal bureaucrats should not be allowed to freeze out state partners while altering the rules that dictate Connecticut’s budget and representation.
We need our congressional delegation, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, alongside U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, John Larson, Joe Courtney, and Jahana Hayes, to demand that the Census Bureau lift this communication ban and answer basic questions about the 2030 count.
We also need immediate state action. Gov. Lamont and Attorney General Tong should join other states in filing formal objections before the federal public comment window closes on Nov. 3. [Changed from Oct. 13 — Ed]
We also need residents, advocacy organizations, and community-based organizations to respond to the FRN and voice your concerns. (See ctdata.org for instructions on how to do it.)
The math is simple: if Connecticut is undercounted because the rules were changed without local input, our state budget takes the hit. Local taxpayers end up footing the bill for health care, special education, housing programs, and roads that federal funding should have covered.
Our leaders regularly promise to fight for Connecticut’s fair share. Right now, that fight is not in a high-profile courtroom; it is in the fine print of federal notices, and time is running out.
The comment deadline is Nov. 3 [Changed from Oct. 13 — Ed]. That leaves our politicians with little time to make noise, demand accountability, and submit formal objections. The Census Bureau may have chosen to go silent, but Connecticut’s elected officials cannot.
It is time for our leaders to step up and defend our state’s count before the window closes.
Sarah Eisele-Dyrli is Assistant Director and Michelle Riordan-Nold is Executive Director at the CTData Collaborative, Connecticut’s lead organization in the Census State Data Center network.
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