Editor:

Thank you for the beautiful obituary for Mrs. Constance Newell (Aug. 6). She was my third grade teacher in 1958. What a magnificent lady. Now I know why I really learned to read in that grade.

Her name is my answer to the "secret question" sometimes associated with a password. Mrs. Newell was so special.

Norm Martin
Harwich

Editor:

I was so pleased when the Orleans Town Meeting voted in 2021 to purchase the Governor Prence site and use the space for the good of our whole community by building affordable housing. That might mean that the wonderful library assistant, or the cashier at Friends’, or the waitperson at Mahoney’s might have the chance to actually live in this town. Right now, unless they have generational wealth or a partner who makes a great salary, they cannot.

So here we are five years later, and those abandoned buildings are still standing, and those individuals still cannot afford to live in Orleans. The plan for Governor Prence put forth by HAC, POAH and Habitat for Humanity is an excellent plan with a variety of structures offering options for residents, along with open space and easy access to downtown. Is the zoning board of appeals feeling slighted that they don’t have more say about rooflines and curbstones? Or are members of the ZBA listening to some who are using that well-worn line: “I am in favor of affordable housing, but…?”

Please, everyone, consider that we are part of a community; that community should not be controlled solely by the well-to-do who want to maintain the “lovely village charm.” Even if you don’t care about the many people precluded from the nice life we enjoy, think about it selfishly. Our way of life depends on many people who work here and if they can’t live here, eventually they will not come here to work. What a richer community we will be if we can welcome the teaching assistants and hairdressers and police officers (and their kids!) as our neighbors. We all stand to gain by the proposed complex at Governor Prence.

As an aside, I am strongly in favor of a large portion of that housing made available only to those who currently work in Orleans, and then another portion to Barnstable County workers.

Carol Baffi-Dugan
Orleans

Editor:

I attended the Aug. 6 Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals meeting regarding the pending Pennrose application for affordable housing on Route 137 (Meetinghouse Road). I commend the ZBA for asking important questions about the safety issue that Pennrose claims to have adequately addressed but in reality has proposed the cheapest so-called solution possible. I am referring to the obvious need for a sidewalk along the west side of Route 137 from the development down to Route 28 in order for the apartment residents to access public transportation. 

Pennrose claims that constructing a path down to the rail trail will adequately address the issue of pedestrians walking from the proposed apartments down to Route 28. However, it is delusional to assume that all residents will choose to do that rather than walk along Route 137. In addition, when there is snow, the rail trail is not cleared, and there is not even a narrow shoulder along Route 137 to walk along. 

The ZBA must make construction of a sidewalk along the west side of Route 137 a condition for approving the Pennrose application or there will inevitably be serious injuries and possibly even deaths when careless drivers strike unwary pedestrians. When this happens, the blame will justifiably fall on the driver, but both Pennrose and the ZBA will also bear much of the blame.

David McElroy
South Chatham

Editor:

Decades ago I read a quote that struck me deeply: “The honor of a job is in its execution.” Whenever I make my run to the Chatham Transfer Station, I am reminded of this sentiment. I find the staff there is unfailingly helpful, cordial and honor their employment.

Anne LeClaire
South Chatham

Editor:

As an Old Village resident, I am appalled by what has happened to Chatham Light. The sweeping beam was part of the character of Chatham, part of its history, part of the experience of living here and visiting here, and an important presence on the water. Surely there is a modern solution that meets today’s requirements without sacrificing so much of what made Chatham Light distinctive.

I don't pretend to know what the answer is. But I don't believe we should simply accept this as the inevitable price of modernization. Chatham can do better than this. Chatham deserves better than this. 

Ann P. Ryan
Chatham

Editor:

I hope the voters of Brewster, Dennis and Yarmouth will join me in voting for Chris Lambton in the state primary election on Sept. 1.

Chris’ service on the Dennis Select Board has spanned eight years and he has made a difference for Dennis residents. Chris worked to implement a $200 million wastewater treatment program to ensure clean water for the future. He saw to investing in beaches and golf to generate revenue and control taxes. As a former math teacher Chris is committed to high quality public education. Chris Lambton’s focus is on the quality of life for residents in the First Barnstable District. I fully support his election as our next state representative.

Ned Chatelain
Brewster

Editor:

We are ready for real leadership in the Brewster/Dennis/Yarmouth district and are supporting Chris Lambton in the upcoming state primary Sept. 1. With his three terms on the Dennis Select Board, Chris comes to the table with a long resume of accomplishments that focus on improving where and how we live. They include work on housing options, safeguarding wetlands and other environmental priorities, wastewater challenges, and investing in building a new school for local children. These experiences have honed Chris' skills at working with other people and agencies to accomplish projects aimed at the success of our communities.

After two years of no real representation, our district is prepared to move forward once again with a leader who has our best interests at heart, a local businessman who understands the environmental and community goals that make our life here the best it can be. 

Peter and Carol Jelinek
Brewster

Editor:

Moral courage. Where is it? At what cost is the select board OK with “asking” the

nonresident, nonvoting taxpayers to carry the weight of yet another bill for the benefit of the resident taxpayers? Why are they promoting a schism between the resident and nonresident taxpayers? A monetary distribution amounting to less than a daily cup of Dunkin coffee. Does this effort solve a financial hardship? This is the intended objective: “Select board members who support the RTE see it as a way to help year-round residents better afford the region’s high cost of living, especially when it comes to housing.” How does it help housing? They already own a house. Plus they chose to live in Chatham. Help with the region's high cost of living...really. It is a hard economic argument to make that the cost of basic staples of gas, groceries and incidentals are meaningfully higher in Chatham than Boston. This tax discount is an ill conceived concept that does nothing but discriminate between nonresident, nonvoting taxpayers and resident taxpayers. Thank you notes are in the mail.

P. Peterson
Chatham

Editor:

As the Sept. 1 Democratic primary approaches, we encourage voters to re-elect Ron Bergstrom as Barnstable County Commissioner.

Ron has an outstanding record of service to Cape Cod and has consistently supported programs that benefit residents across the region. These include SHINE, which helps seniors understand their health care options; the county dredge program, which keeps our harbors navigable; the AquaFund, which provides no-interest and low-interest loans to homeowners facing the costs of sewer connections; and AmeriCorps Cape Cod, whose young volunteers assist towns and nonprofit organizations throughout the Cape.

Those of us who have had the privilege of serving with Ron know he is the best choice to keep Barnstable County proactive, forward-looking and fiscally responsible. 

Mark Forest, County Commissioner 
Sheila Lyons. County Commissioner
Susan Warner, Assembly of Delegates Speaker

Editor:

Congress continues to spend billions subsidizing industrial meat and dairy production even as these industries contribute significantly to climate change, water pollution and other environmental problems (Euronews, Feb. 23). Instead of addressing the root causes of these impacts, policymakers are investing even more in a system that increasingly relies on technological fixes rather than meaningful reform.

Americans are encouraged to recycle, drive less and reduce their carbon footprints, yet taxpayer dollars continue to prop up industries that undermine those same climate goals. Imagine if even a fraction of those funds were redirected toward plant-based innovation, sustainable agriculture, conservation or helping farmers transition to more resilient food systems.

Real climate leadership means aligning public policy with the future we want to build — not spending billions to preserve a system that is costly for our environment, our communities and taxpayers.

Michael Mansfield
Hyannis

Editor:

On behalf of Namequoit Sailing Association, I would like to thank the Friends Of Pleasant Bay for their generous grant to our Junior Sailing Scholarship Program. These funds allowed a few Cape Cod public school children who are financially challenged to learn the lifelong sport of sailing and gain knowledge and appreciation of the fragile waters of Pleasant Bay. 

Eileen Smith
Namequoit Sailing Association
Orleans

Editor:

As a long-term county and state criminal prosecutor and retired federal judge, I claim a certain expertise in constitutional law. One of the ironclad provisions of the U.S Constitution is the Fifth Amendment which grants the right to decline to testify against one's self. To claim this right in no way indicates guilt as is often suggested.

I am outraged by the criticism of 85-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci who led the government's response to the unique COVID-19 pandemic as, on advice of counsel, Dr. Fauci "pleaded the Fifth" many times during a recent congressional hearing. That hearing, called and chaired by the insufferable Senator Rand Paul, was clearly intended as a trap set by Paul in an attempt to obtain a perjury conviction of Dr. Fauci based on any testimony he might give that conflicted with earlier statements or diary entries.

Much of Paul's questioning related to the origin of the COVID virus, specifically whether it leaked from a Chinese lab or was transmitted from an animal to a human. Parenthetically, do we really care from whence it came? Even if the answer is important, Senator Paul could have granted Dr. Fauci immunity and heard his testimony to any extent he desired. Instead, after ejecting Dr. Fauci's lawyer from the hearing, he badgered Dr. Fauci for hours knowing that there would be no answers forthcoming, a disgraceful performance intended to satisfy an audience of one, Donald Trump, as has been true of so many of Trump's minions.

It is my firm belief that while masking, social distancing, school closures, etc. were inconvenient and perhaps in retrospect not entirely justified, given the evolving science, they were reasonable and to the degree that Dr. Fauci was key in directing them, I believe he is responsible for the saving of many lives. My overwhelming respect for him is matched by my equivalent disrespect for the arrogant and vengeful Rand Paul.

Ralph W. Smith
Harwich Port

Editor:

On behalf of The Federated Church of Orleans, we would like to thank all the local merchants who generously donated gift certificates, merchandise or plants to our annual Summer Fair. Your support helps us continue our church's mission outreach to the local community in need. We also want to thank the many loyal friends who come every year and support us with their purchases!

Debbie MacLachlan, raffle committee
The Federated Church of Orleans

Editor:

There are several excellent support programs for people on Cape Cod being treated for cancer. 

Cape Wellness Collaborative helps people with several free meals, health club vouchers, activities like dancing and rowing, support groups, and a variety of other programs: www.capewellness.org.

Hope Lodge in Boston provides free lodging for outpatients and their support person (spouse/parent/child/other is required) while being treated for cancer at any Boston hospital. A hospital referral is required. Stays in this supportive group home can vary from a week to a year. Demand is very strong so it is not easy to get in. www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge/boston.html.

Hospitality Homes provides rooms with private baths in volunteers’ homes in the Boston area for anyone needing extended hospital outpatient visits. They too require a support person to accompany the patient. Donations of $25 a night are expected. Both Hope Lodge and Hospitality Homes are restricted to those living over 40 miles from Boston: https://hosp.org.

Over 2,100 people on the Cape and Islands are diagnosed with cancer each year. If you or anyone you know is dealing with it, you are not alone and should take advantage of these programs. They are available regardless of income.

Michael and Ann Westgate
Chatham