Nonprofits are not immune to criticism
Last week’s Lakeville Journal printed a most welcome affirmation from Andrew Benson of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) acknowledging the interests of donor families and the larger community in lands they are entrusted with. Benson’s letter was especially meaningful; in 1980 I was among the first recipients of TNC’s White Oak Award for Conservation Research.
In his letter to the editor, Tim Abbott gives us a stern lecture on the importance of land trusts and why we should trust them. He may be factually correct, but he is the wrong person to deliver that particular message. In early November, when I told him that I had confidence in him as a conservationist, he assured me he would cease his consultancy if his engagement would negatively affect conservation. An opinion voiced by many is that the questions of confidence in land trusts are tied directly to Mr. Abbott’s personal actions over the last months. He admonishes “second guessing responsible conservation organizations,” suggesting that rather than questioning land trusts, we should support their work. Many of us have and continue to do so. In my opinion, conservation organizations and land trusts should welcome questions, not shy away from them.
Not-for-profit organizations, no matter how lofty their purposes, are not immune from criticism. Having spent more than four decades conducting conservation research, working with some of the leading conservation organizations, I was asked by colleagues, donors and the public to explain certain positions I had taken. As challenging as it was at times to address these questions, it was an opportunity not only to hear their concerns, but also discern whether I was doing the very best I could to advance conservation. In that spirit of discernment, I contacted the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) for guidance. I was referred to their professional standards (Land Trust Standards and Practices). Specifically, I was directed by LTA to the following, cited verbatim:
11J. Partial or Full Extinguishment
1. In the rare case that it is necessary to extinguish a conservation easement, in whole or in part,
a. Follow the terms of the conservation easement with respect to taking appropriate action, and obtain judicial or regulatory review when required by law or specified in the easement deed
b. Ensure there is no private inurement or impermissible private benefit
c. Take steps to avoid or mitigate harm to conservation values and/or use any proceeds in a manner consistent with the conservation easement deed
d. Consider the land trust’s actions in the context of its reputation and the impact on the land conservation community at large.
In conclusion, I note one of the final sentences in Mr. Abbott’s letter: “science is not static and perpetuity is a very long time.” Yes, science is rapidly evolving, as evidenced in my forthcoming multi-authored book, “Conservation of Connecticut’s Amphibians and Reptiles,” which up-ends traditional, single-species preservation strategies. And yes, perpetuity is indeed a very long time, which is why grantors grant easements to grantees, with expectations of a commitment that transcends generations.
Michael W. Klemens, PhD
Lakeville
Coronavirus effects in our free country
Since we did not wish to be decimated,
my love and I got ourselves vaccimated.
If everyone else would reach this conclusion,
it might avoid a great deal of confusion,
and bring us, to borrow the famed locution
of Dubya, to an “end to the solution”.
But living in a country so proud and free,
and thinking, as folks do, democratically,
it probably will be a little later
before each dissident and proud debater
dons masks and heads out to the local line-up
for their shots, or at least to try and sign up.
Jim Picton
Salisbury
Which lake is deepest?
Accuracy counts folks. I believe Lakeville Lake is not the deepest lake in Connecticut, unless there has been a seismic shift. That title belongs to Lake Saltonstall located in Branford and East Haven.
The American Indians called Saltonstall Lonotonoquet, which was a natural lake. White men built a dam that only raised the water level 8 feet. Without the 8 feet it was still deeper than Wononscopomuc.
Craig Toensing
Falls Village
Social justice education for a white community
One thing I hope the pandemic leaves in its wake is time and space for critical thinking. About all things, but as it relates to this letter: how we would like to care for our neighbors (both the literal and metaphorical ones) moving forward.
If the pandemic has initiated a sort of cocoon state, then our imminent re-emergence as a community presents an opportunity to recalibrate.
Following New York City’s Great Coronavirus Exodus—Hello, to all new neighbors, this letter is also for you—the population in northwestern Connecticut remains about as diverse as a white-powdered donut.
Redlining in New England, where African-American families were only sold homes in certain areas of town, is a part of my own town’s history—and the critical thinker must wonder: to what extent is the racism behind this historical practice still with us today?
If social justice is deemed irrelevant here because we are a mostly white community, then the work of speaking up against racism is left, once again, to our neighbors of color—Black, indigenous, Asian, Mexican and South American residents that do live here.
I do not personally experience racist intimidation at the transfer station or walking on Main Street, for example, but others do, and I believe my silence as a white community member works to condone it. I no longer wish to be the kind of neighbor that buries her face in the warm sand of white privilege and asks an already disproportionate minority to put itself in danger of further trauma in order to do the work that is inherently mine.
Resources for reeducating ourselves abound—podcasts, books, documentaries—and they are beginning to emerge locally as community members connect around this common goal. It is time to hold space for dialogue about racism and social inequity, and to learn to recognize racism in ourselves and others. I would like to invite all community members to join us in taking a foundational step toward nurturing a community of acceptance, mutual respect, nonviolent communication and love for all of its members.
“Race: The Power of an Illusion,” is a free workshop with Carol Taylor taking place on Zoom from 1-3pm on Saturday, Feb. 27, in partnership with D.M. Hunt Memorial Library and the Falls Village Community Development Corporation. Participants are required to view the PBS documentary of the same name, available on DVD at the library, or on VIMEO for $4.99, prior to the workshop. We will share reflections and learn tips on how to facilitate dialogue. Call 860-824-7424 to register. Space is limited; a waitlist will be organized.
An AntiracismNWC book and discussion group is now forming. We will read How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and meet outside in the spring/summer months to discuss what we are learning as we make our way through the book. To join, please secure a copy of the book and email antiracismNWC@gmail.com.
Maria Grusauskas
Falls Village
Trump must be held accountable
I am C. Woodward, an unemployed elder. Republicans in the United States Senate: Please have the backbone of your fellow Republicans of the state of Georgia to stand up and be counted on the side of right.
Donald J. Trump, the charlatan, needs to be convicted of high crimes and misdemeanors and removed from public exposure. This will heal the schism and restore our democracy. The sooner the better. Call the question.
C. Archer Woodward
Winsted
An explanation of WQQQ 103.3 changes
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the opportunity to communicate with WSHU Public Radio listeners saddened by our decision to cease broadcasting on WQQQ 103.3FM (Sharon, Conn.). We have heard from passionate listeners dismayed by the news.
For nine years, we programmed WQQQ 103.3FM via a contract with the station owner, under which we paid to provide programs to Litchfield and Dutchess counties. It was no longer sustainable for us to continue.
I am sorry if this caught you by surprise. WSHU communicated broadly and proactively to our WQQQ friends. Beginning in September 2020, we sent many emails, newsletters and letters announcing the change; during our last week we ran on-air announcements. The information has also been online: www.wshu.org/wqqq.
Like many nonprofits, we operate with razor-thin margins and a very lean staff. I was brought on as Station Manager as part of a planned executive transition to follow the founding General Manager. I was tasked with rebuilding staff capacity, increasing fundraising and creating a sustainable business model. As I took over WSHU’s budgeting daily operations, we were hit by a global pandemic, a volatile economy and a very uncertain future.
Many of you asked: Why not fundraise more? We already fundraise on the air four times a year — for about 10 days each time — and solicit donations via direct mail throughout the year. We receive over 60% of our funding from donations. We receive 34% of our funding from corporate underwriting and special events. The remaining 6% comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The impact of the pandemic left us with a large deficit at the end of fiscal year 2020 in July. It was imperative that we started FY21 with a balanced budget, while there was no end in sight for the pandemic or the erratic economy.
The goal of any nonprofit is to identify a sustainable business model that matches the philanthropic support available in the current economic climate. That is why we created the FY21 budget assuming a 20% drop in revenue across the board. In order to create a balanced budget, we had to reduce our expenses by $800,000. We did this by cutting WQQQ, cutting staff members’ salaries up to 15% and not replacing staff who had left the station prior to the pandemic. We went from a budget of $5.4M to $4.8M, and from a lean staff to an even leaner one.
These measures ensured the survival of the station. I can report seven months into our fiscal year we are breaking even. If we had not made drastic cuts, we would now be swimming in an exceptionally large deficit on top of the deficit incurred at the end of last year.
I recognize that this does not bring back your favorite programs on WQQQ.
However, you can continue to hear WSHU’s programming on our website, our app or via a smart speaker. Information is at www.wshu.org/wqqq.
Reach me at rdael@ex.wshu.org with additional questions. Thank you, and warm regards.
Rima Dael
WSHU General Manager
Fairfield, Conn.
Housing in Salisbury should be built
I am writing in support of the proposed plan for a multi-family dwelling at 11 Holley Street. The project is proposed and will be managed by the SHC. Revisions were made to the plan due to concerns expressed by neighbors and other interested parties. The original plan was revised to reduce the square footage of the building and the number of units.
The SHC proposed this project to address the severe need in Salisbury for affordable housing. Over the years a number of studies have been done to determine the size of our need. The most recent report prepared in 2018 by the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission stated that an additional 75 units of affordable housing would bring our housing stock of affordable housing to 5%. The state of Connecticut goal for each town is 10%.
This project will move the ball forward but will not get us to the finish line. In the meantime, economic conditions are working against us in our desire to meet the 5% goal. A recent story in the Republican American reported that during 2020, Salisbury leads the state with a 56% increase in median housing prices. The Salisbury median reached $610,536 and the increase in the number of home sales over the prior year was 123%.
As a community we must work together to address the need for affordable housing. I think this new plan from the SHC demonstrates their willingness to work with their neighbors while proposing a project that is needed, attractive and a good use for the site. I recommend the application is approved.
Note to Editor: In the interest of full disclosure, I am the co-treasurer of the Salisbury Housing Committee.
Carole Dmytryshak
Salisbury
What about Mizza’s?
I enjoyed your wide-ranging article about the variety of pizzerias available to residents in the Northwest Corner. However, I was dismayed at the obvious omission of my favorite: Mizza Pizza, an establishment just a couple of blocks from The Lakeville Journal. Run by a civic-minded owner, housed in the same location since the ’80s, this family’s favorite did not deserve to be passed over in your article.
Jim Charlton
Lakeville
Editor’s note: Multiple attempts were made by the writer to contact the owner at Mizza’s, by phone and in person, to no avail. So, we will ask here: Eddie, do you think pizza should be the state food of Connecticut?
Many in the region help
I was excited to read Leila Hawken’s Feb. 18 article about some of the efforts and outreach at Fairfield Farm, and pleased that The Hotchkiss School is getting some positive coverage on the local food front.
Nonetheless, I felt troubled by what the article’s opening paragraph may suggest. While we have worked hard to build an educationally driven farm and food program over the last 13 years, it’s important to note that we have always strived to collaborate with and learn from the incredible farmers and sustainable food organizations that make the Tri-state region a model for the rest of the country.
Fairfield Farm and Tory Hill Dining may represent one facet of the future of farming in this area, but at the end of the day, we are but one small (and grateful) partner in this rich and forward-thinking regional food culture.
Charlie Noyes
Coordinator for Faculty Mentoring
Alumni and Development Liaison
The Hotchkiss School
Lakeville
Please stop nitpicking Holley Place housing
I started living as a child in Lakeville in the 1950s and remember well the vibrancy of Lakeville: the July 4th parades with multiple elaborate floats and the many stores at which to shop. That was before parts of the town were demolished and replaced with Bicentennial Park and the generic gas station and park in front of Community Field.
Some people are losing sight of the overarching and urgent need for a quantum increase in affordable housing by inflicting the project with a thousand cuts via ad nauseum nitpicking. The Holley project should be a start to revitalizing the town and serve as a bridge to the past.
The way some people talk, you would think that the Holley project would be replacing historic Gettysburg Park. There have been fears about too much incremental traffic and not enough parking. When I grew up, the building across the street on Holley Street with extremely limited parking used to be Salisbury Bank. Everybody had to physically go to the bank in those pre-internet days. There was nothing “busier” than that. And yet we dealt with it without big fuss or problems. In terms of added traffic from the Holley project, I suspect that there is more traffic turning into the post office in 15 minutes than there would be all day in added traffic turning into Holley Street.
Some say that the Holley project would be a dangerous traffic area for kids. This makes no sense, since kids would be able to easily walk to the Grove, Community Field, etc. without having to navigate longer distances providing higher risk.
It has been suggested that instead of the Holley project, the Pope property would be better-suited for multiple-unit affordable housing. This is a false comparison. The fact is, we need Holley, Pope, and every other place that has been proposed to make a material difference in affordable housing. The alternative to not attracting younger residents is an increase in the already high average age of our residents. If this continues, then maybe we should simply move the boundaries of the Salisbury Cemetery to the rest of Salisbury and include Lakeville as well. Then at least we could be buried in our backyards.
There have been complaints about the proposed architecture of the Holley project not sufficiently fitting in. This is highly subjective, and few people will agree on the “ideal” look. The proposed building needs to accommodate many apartments and at the same time look close enough to the old style, so it’s a bit of a compromise. When the old Salisbury Town Hall was burned down by an arsonist many years ago, the replacement building looked to me like something in Greenwich, Conn., not a replica of the old building. I got used to it; it’s not really so bad.
Let’s simply get on with the Holley project. It’s badly needed. While it’s not perfect, it’s good enough and helps to significantly achieve the long sought affordable housing objectives of the town.
Lloyd Baroody
Lakeville
Gratitude from SWSA
On behalf of the directors of Salisbury Winter Sports Association, I would like to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and spectators who made our 95th year possible.
The respect and patience everyone showed due to restrictions made for a great experience for all, especially all the athletes who have gone a year without an event in the Eastern region.
A special thank you as always to the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Squad for their commitment to making our event possible. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!
Ken Barker
President, Salisbury
Winter Sports Association
Salisbury
"Cow," by Joelle Sander.Cornwall Library
Lala TamarProvided
