Letters to the Editor February 23, 2012

Apply for fuel help by March 15

This is an important notice to all who have applied for or need help with their fuel bills. March 15 is the last day that fuel deliveries can be made and paid for under the Connecticut fuel assistance program. It is also the last day to apply.

Participants in the program should make sure they have received all of their benefits. We are worried that some people may have been discouraged by their award letter which indicates the possibility of only partial payment for a fuel delivery. In fact, if you were approved, you are eligible for more assistance than the amount stated in the letter. Be sure to call CACD at 203-748-5422 or call your social service agent about this.

And remember that more assistance — through Operation Fuel or other fuel banks — may be available if you are still in need after your CACD grant has been exhausted. Call your social service agent.

We thank all who have warmed our neighbors this year. We also thank Salisbury Bank and Trust who sent out a most productive appeal on behalf of the Northwest Corner Fuel Bank (NCFB, PO Box 385, Sharon, CT 06069). Fortunately, the winter has been mild so far, but high oil and electric prices have made it tough for many families. And so we thank all you generous people who have contributed, not just to the regional fuel bank, but also to the fuel banks in our towns.

Ella Clark, coordinator, NCFB

Sharon

 

Kudos to McLean Ford in wiperblade emergency

On Jan. 27, my husband and I were driving on the New York State Thruway in a horrific rain storm, from Rochester to Hartford, when the arm and windshield wiper blew off the driver’s side of our car, reducing visibility to near zero.

Rains pelting the windshield and 18-wheelers tearing by required us to get to the nearest Ford dealership as soon as possible. It turned out, even though we were near Herkimer, we learned the closest dealership with the arm and blade in stock was not in Schenectady or in Albany, rather it was hours away, in a small town called Millerton, at McLean Ford.

My husband removed the arm/blade from the passenger side and installed it on the driver’s side so that we had visibility, on his side, to drive safely the distance down to Millerton. I’d called ahead and Joe, in the parts department of McLean, double-checked his inventory, and sure enough, he had one arm/blade left. Upon our arrival (mid-afternoon), Judy was so kind to offer us a loaner so we could grab a bite to eat at the Deli.

The installation was so quick, we didn’t need to consider that. In no time, we were all set and could head safely onto Hartford.  Whew!

Truly, we were made to feel very welcome and were well taken care of by the kind folks at McLean Ford. I’ve written directly to Alan Mulally, the president of Ford Motor Company, to commend Joe and Judy at McLean and have also called David McLean to extend our gratitude for the nice folks at his dealership.

No doubt, readers of this newspaper are already fully aware of these great neighbors.

Marsha Senges

Victor, N.Y.

 

Two reasons for complaints for cable company

I called Comcast recently to find out how I would see the Duke-UConn girls basketball game that night on my newly programmed-for-basic TV. I was connected to a nice, young (I assume) man in the Philippines. We have been outsourced again. Oh, where have all the U.S. jobs gone? Overseas. Shame on Comcast.

Not only can’t I find the programs I used to see, but now I have umpteen little black boxes dangling to and fro or taking up space on my power surge protector, just to have my cable work at all. So much for improvements.

Priscilla Belcher

Falls Village

 

Mourns Houston, no matter what

In reference to Bob Cuddeback’s letter (“Whitney Houston is not a role model,” Feb. 16) concerning Whitney Houston:

First, my condolences on the tragic loss of your son, and my support for your honoring many unrecognized and worthy role models. However, in my own sadness at the passing of Whitney Houston, consideration of her as a role model or not seems irrelevant. As yet, we do not know how she died, but if the cause, indeed,was addiction, I mourn the passing of yet another gifted person who was not able to help herself. Alas, we have yet to discover a cure for the ineffectiveness of will power.

 Gila Lipton

New York, N.Y.

 

Chili Cook-off correction

On behalf of the Chili Cook-off Committee, we would like to correct the error we posted in last week’s letter to the editor (“Three-way tie at Chili Cook-Off,” Feb. 16).  While there were many votes for the Country Bistro, the actual winners were On the Run, Pastorale and The Woodland.

Once again, thank you to all the restaurants that participated. We apologize for the error.

Deb Bain, Davin Lindy and Donna Stoetzner

Salisbury

 

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