Letters to the Editor February 2, 2012

Connecticut Light & Power shouldn’t pay

I’m outraged that Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) gave money to people who had their power out for seven days or more. I’m also outraged that people believed they were due payment. For what — because we had a horrendous storm that broke snow laden trees that took down wires cutting power?

CL&P didn’t cause the storm, and they worked long and hard to fix a big mess. Some people seem to think they’re owed the impossible. Things take as long as they take.

Those who accepted or demanded money from the power company must think you’re pretty special because they weren’t at your door immediately.  You  are not the only people in the state.

Maybe the next time something like this happens, you get out there and help or at least be grateful they are out there trying to clean up the mess. I’m sure some of you could cut up a tree or at least take some coffee and doughnuts to crews. Or do nothing and quit your whining.

Shame on CL&P for paying anyone, and shame on those who took money from them. You’re not owed anything just because you set a deadline on your inconvenience. Grow up!

Susan North

Kent

 

More questions for the post office in Lakeville

I’d like to add my name to John Miller’s (“Letter went undelivered,” Lakeville Journal, Jan. 26) as a complainant regarding the required use of box numbers by the Lakeville branch of the post office.

I do a substantial amount of online purchasing and give my office address (Lakeville) rather than my home address (Salisbury) because there is a daily pickup service from work while I often do not have time to get to the Salisbury branch on a daily basis.

For each item I order I put in both the street address and the box number for my business delivery address.  Once I have done that, I have no way of controlling what the company uses on its mailing label.

The business I work for has been in the same location for some 25 years and I have been connected with the business for roughly the same amount of time.

The Lakeville Post Office knows us both well.

Several years ago the Lakeville branch rejected over 50 percent of the Christmas presents I had ordered, due to the fact that it could not accept packages without a box number. When questioned, they admitted they knew me, knew my business and knew what the box number on the packages should have been, but that they were “obliged” to reject receipt.

They are now making similar threats if I do not ensure that the box number appears on all packages.  While I make every effort, I cannot make such assurances.

I would love to hear a logical, realistic reason why, in a small town where we all know each other, this is necessary. And, if there is such a reason, why is Salisbury able (willing?) to accept mail I receive which does not contain my box number there?  Are the rules different or is community spirit and care the only difference?

I am grateful to John Miller for letting me know others are facing this difficulty and hope that others will speak out as well.

Marianne Czernin

Salisbury

 

The Cordray, Dodd-Frank correspondence continues

This is my response to Brian Kavanaugh’s response of Jan. 26 to my letter of Jan. 19 regarding Richard Cordray and Dodd-Frank. It is nice to discover someone actually reads what I write and cares enough to write me back.

I want to comment on the points Mr. Kavanaugh makes on Dodd-Frank. I think I may have been misunderstood. An act of Congress is a process. First, there is a bill, then there is the act and then there are the regulations needed to implement the act.

Mr. Kavanaugh properly points out that Dodd-Frank was passed on July 21, 2010, when the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress. However, Dodd-Frank could not begin to do its job until the Congress wrote and approved the regulations needed to implement the act. The presentation of regulations for Dodd-Frank happened in March 2011, after the GOP had taken back the House.

What I refer to as Dodd-Frank in my letter are the regulations governing the act. My letter notes what the GOP did in March 2011 to water down the “rules” for Dodd-Frank. The strengthened GOP did much to gut the regulations. The Republicans are still battling tooth and nail against bank and finance reform. That was the reason for the Republican shenanigans surrounding Richard Cordray’s appointment to lead the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.

May I end by suggesting a “good read” to anyone out there interested in what Dodd-Frank tried to fix? It is the Final Report of the National Commission on the Causes of the Financial and Economic Crisis of the United States. Far from being a dry-as-dust government report, this piece reads like a really good crime novel. I couldn’t put it down.

Wm. Earl Brecher

West Cornwall

 

Benefit gave aid to concert season

Last weekend a gala benefit for the Northwest Music Association took place at St. John’s Church, whose candles guided the way down the aisle from the snow-covered village. It could have been any Saturday night in the 1880s if only the patrons had arrived by sleigh.

For six years the NWMA has sponsored four free concerts by the New England Baroque Soloists every summer at St. John’s. Every year it is a challenge to maintain this tradition. This benefit has made it certain that a seventh summer season will be possible.

We are grateful to the many individuals and businesses who contributed to the success of this project, and to the people who braved the snow to attend the concert. Ragamont House, Salisbury Wines and The Black Rabbit contributed food and drink to the festive reception at Ragamont House afterward, where guests ate, drank and merrily hugged the musicians. Chaiwalla, Elyse Harney Real Estate, Johnnycake Books, Hylton Hundt Salon and Robinson Leech Real Estate were also sponsors and friends. And St. John’s provided its stunning acoustics and, of course, those candles.

Lorna Brodtkorb, Treasurer, Northwest Music Association

Salisbury

 

Bear hunting is wrong, and I am opposed to it

I am deeply opposed to a bear hunting season in Connecticut. What a terrible idea.

There are not too many bears; there are too many people. There are now more than 7 billion human beings on the planet. How can we wonder what is the matter? Why ask who to blame?

What would help? Zero population growth would help. For those who want families, let’s adopt the many, many children who already exist and need loving homes.

Meanwhile, how to coexist with the other animals? Don’t put meat scraps in your compost. Secure your garbage bins. Keep your pets in at night. If you feed birds, enjoy the sight of bears in your yard and budget for replacing your feeders.

Patty Mullins

Sharon

 

Thankful  for support

In recognition of the obituary for my husband, Bishop Cyril M. Wismar, in this newspaper, may I take the opportunity to thank our many friends and acquaintances in the towns of Connecticut for their thoughtful and kind communications to me and our family.

Sylvia N. Wismar

North Canaan

 

The true meaning of “grand”-child

Among all the hectic lives of young people today, lives one special lady who has mastered the meaning of “grand”-child. With societal pressures, texting, Facebooking and job hunting, it’s uncommon in our world, today, to find good old-fashioned family love and support of a youth.

With never a complaint whispered, Amanda Crawford gladly aids her grandmother in her daily activities. She puts her grandmother first, and her own needs follow far behind. It’s not often that a grandmother today gets to experience the gratitude and pleasure of such a thoughtful grandchild.

Providing a loyal companion, a loving rescue cat named Angel, to Grandma Genny is one of the many special gifts Amanda gave her Gram.

As a friend and observer, I hope that many more can learn from Amanda’s generosity and love for her grandmother.

An immense amount of knowledge can be gained from our elders. Take the time to sit and listen while your loved ones are still with you.The stories are sure to enlighten you. You’ll be captivated by life lessons learned nowhere else. These are experiences you cannot learn anywhere but by their side.

Appreciate all that is yours while it is here. Live with no regrets. Experience the gratitude.

Judy Stephens

North Canaan

 

Family thankful

The family of David Barney Sr. wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to Dave’s many caring friends for all their thoughts and prayers during our time of grief.

Linda Kattuah

for the Barney family

Millerton

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