Letters to the Editor, Nov. 30

Column Struck A Chord

Editor:

I found Kristin Andres’ column “Use Your Voice” on Nov. 16 to be very helpful. I have written to the EPA and both my senator and congresswoman in regards to the three issues Ms. Andres specified. I appreciate being kept aware of issues as well as specific information on what I can do to contribute positively to our environmental emergency. Thank you for featuring Ms. Andres’ column.

Elizabeth Perkins

Chatham and Pittsburgh, Pa.

Appreciation For Monomoy Schools

Editor:

The Monomoy Regional School District exceeded our expectations for our daughter, Ciara, class of ‘22, and our son Rory, class of ‘20. Ciara and Rory had many memorable teachers throughout their years from preschool through graduation, and we are grateful for them all.

We would like to praise the special education program in our school system, especially Shana Grogan, Rory’s special education teacher for more than 10 years from middle school through high school and beyond. There has never been a teacher more dedicated to their vocation, and it’s easy to see that reflected in the faces of the students in the SHORE Program and Unified Sports teams.

There have also been a team of paraprofessionals that have been Rory’s best cheerleaders. We are grateful to you all.

Thank you to the many other staff members and students who welcome kids of all abilities to the halls and offices of Monomoy schools.

Finally, a shout-out to Best Buddies and Unified Sports athlete-mentors, who make it possible for our special stars to shine.

As Rory hits his milestone of age 22 this month, he completes his time as a student of Monomoy, but it doesn’t stop there. He will continue to have a presence in local sports and business in years to come, because that’s the kind of community we are.

Anne Farris

Chatham

Greed At Root Of Immigration

Editor:

The reasons why the Cape and Massachusetts generally are having a problem with immigration is simple: Greed.

Our neighbors insist on being served their $10 latte at Starbucks, their lawns mowed by others (rather than doing it themselves), and their McMansions cleaned via outside help (other than living in a smaller abode and purchasing their own dustpan and brush). Serfdom is alive and well and living all over America!

Suzie Coon

East Orleans

Another Look At Nitrogen Regs

Editor:

I applaud the Chatham Board of Health's decision to reconsider its August nitrogen loading regulations as reported in your Nov. 23 edition. As I stated in my comments before the board of health and the summer residents town meeting, these regulations, while well intended, lack fairness to Chatham homeowners, in particular those with small lots. As an owner of a two-bedroom Chatham home for 14 years, my option to add a third bedroom, even with an investment in a nitrogen reducing septic treatment system (I/A), has now been taken from me. But at a more fundamental level, these regulations represent a deficiency in town government public policy making. Any consideration of land use regulations and property rights limitations should not be the purview of the board of health. Rather, regulations of this nature that apply to all town property owners are more appropriately overseen by the select board with input from the planning board and zoning board of appeals along with the board of health.

Select board member Jeffrey Dykens is quoted in your article as saying "adding an A/I system, even with an extra bedroom, would result in less nitrogen being discharged into the groundwater," a statement that is reportedly supported by engineer David Clark. If data supports this conclusion then the current regulations will result in increasing nitrogen loading rather than reducing it.

Charles O'Connell

Chatham