Letters to the Editor

Given certain weather conditions, bridges could close during a disaster [Letter to the Editor]

Editor's note: the following letter was written in response to "Report that evacuation plan will close bridges is false" by Walter Brooks on May 11, 2012. See Paul Rifkin's photos from the Mother's Day anti-nuclear protest here. We have a poll on our homepage :
Should the Canal Bridges ever be closed?

To the Editor,

Many of us were bothered, to say the least, about your article pertaining to the planned demonstration at the Sagamore Bridge, but I feel that you  misstated and further, that you mislead, by a few facts in presenting it.  I, as part of Occupy Falmouth and Cape Downwinders, planned to demonstrate and help make citizens (not just  Cape Cod citizens) aware of the lack of a plan for evacuation from the Cape in case of a nuclear accident. 

Fukashima, Japan awakened in us a sense of fear because of the similarity to the design of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station  and situations arising after a natural weather disaster.  Not in terms of a tsunami, which will probably never occur, but because of hurricanes, with winds of at least 70 miles an hour which have occurred many times and at which time bridges have been closed.  And that is the only condition that is mentioned in Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Nuclear Preparedness Committee, Cape Cod Emergency Traffic Plan publication. 

But, it was stated and reported in 1988 in hearings before Senator Edward Kennedy with the NRC that the Bourne Bridge would be closed and all traffic re-routed to the Sagamore Bridge.  FEMA stated there was NO evacuation plan, CCETP states the same thing.  

THAT is what brought all of the participants together at the Sagamore Bridge Sunday, Mother's Day.  I was given the thumbs up, the thank yous  and horn blowing enthusiastic support by hundreds and hundreds of passing cars caught in a very polite mess of cars leaving the Cape........one exodus that  could never be compared to a terrified, panicked, escaping crowd if there were ever even a hint of nuclear disaster brought about at the Entergy Corporation owned plant in Plymouth. 

Plymouth residents were "privileged" to receive a calendar because they were within a 10 mile Emergency Zone.  The corporation fulfilled its duty in regard to the health and safety of the town it sits in.   The corporation, identified as a person, doesn't give a damn about people.  The STATE is the one endowed with our safety.  And Governor Patrick KNOWS we don't have a plan.  We have to inform and make a plea to Governor Patrick that we, the people count.  We entrusted him with the ability to do what is right for us.  The first thing he can do is not to allow the re-licensing of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant.  This a a 40-year-old structure identified as faulted, shut down once before because of the inadequacies that exist.

And you, Mr. Brooks, can do a public service by informing, if not supporting, local groups who are trying to do just that by getting the message out there.

Janet Azarovitz
West Falmouth, MA

Jane Logan writes "Dear George" letter to Cape Cod Times reporter George Brennan [Letter to the Editor]

Dear George:

The paper has done a decent job covering the homeowner insurance issue.  I'm just frustrated at lack of public official and citizen participation.  The issue I brought up had everything to do with Town Meeting. 

The fact Jan Teehan or the average person can't wrap their brain around the fact that every dollar spent on insurance reduces tax revenue to the State and therefore State aid to towns doesn't mean it's not a valid point. 

The cost of homeowner insurance has a huge impact on the local economy.  Even without the sales tax angle, people wouldn't be as upset about property taxes if their homeowner insurance wasn't so expensive.

I didn't have trouble trying to subscribe to the Cape Cod Times, I refused to subscribed because the call center is in the Philippines.

Nuf said, I have to race out to vote and then work my full time and then part time job all while fighting off Narcoleptic sleep attacks...

Have a great day George,

Jane Logan
Sandwich Today blogger

Wonderful event last night in Falmouth [Letter to the Editor]

About the Falmouth rally for the pledge of allegiance

Apparently nothing threatens the smugness of the politically correct crowd so much as a group of free Americans pledging alliance to our flag.

To the Editor:

Wonderful event last night in Falmouth! Great job! Sad (if true) that reportedly a few carried it too far with nasty emails and "threatening"? phone calls. Some will leap at the chance to focus on that, rather than the pure sweetness and sincerity of Americans honoring our flag and ALL that it stands for, including the ultimate sacrifice of our servicemen/women and their families.

Apparently nothing threatens the smugness of the politically correct crowd so much as a group of free Americans pledging alliance to our flag and singing God Bless America from their hearts.

Note to Sean Gonsalves of the Cape Cod Times; The Bible tells us to "give honor unto whom honor is due". So no one is  committing idolatry by honoring our flag and our country as you suggested in today’s column.

But feel free to express an opinion; others have earned that right for all of us under this flag.

God bless America!

Thank you Sheryl!

Dennis Clough
West Falmouth

Lyme disease--a full-fledged epidemic on Cape Cod [Letter to the Editor]

Editor's note: The Town of Eastham released a notice on April 18 entitled, "Deer Tick - Nymph Stage Emergence & Lyme Disease". If your town has made a similar announcement, let us know here.

To the Editor:

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

It is predicted that this will be the worst deer tick season ever.

There is a full-fledged epidemic of Lyme disease on Cape Cod.  What are the towns doing to combat this disease?

Other than tick-warning signs on golf courses, not much is evident.  No warnings from Chambers of Commerce, real estate or resort industries.

The town has salaried health agents.  They are letting us down.

Hold them accountable; this is their job.

Lyme has long ago surpassed HIV, Aids in numbers on Cape Cod.  Why the silence?

Hold your town selectmen responsible.  If the state legislature will not act, your local government must!

Raymond  Pena
Brewster Lyme Disease Support Group
Brewster, MA

Writer thinks cartoonist threatens life as we know it [Letter to the Editor]

EDITOR'S Note: The blogs on this newssite reflect the opinions of the bloggers and not the editors.
Only our news stories and editorials reflect the views of CapeCodTODAY's editors.

Objections to Joe Quigley's cartoons

Dear Mr. Brooks,

Last time I checked, this man broke no laws.  Your union hack, a truly classless hack, shows his ignorance as do you by publishing trash like this during the trial of John Edwards.

I would like the e-mail of Quigley.

Mr. Brooks, allowing garbage like this as an editor only tells me what kind of publication you are running.  No reflection on you, it is me that needs to get away from the people of this island.

I truly believe that justice will prevail this election or we can say good-by to the USA as we know it.

Regards,

David Danish
Brewster

Three major flaws in Putnam's Barnstable County goverment Op-Ed [Letter to the Editor]

Editor's note: The following letter was received in response to Andrew Putnam's Op-Ed entitled, "Why put bureaucrats in charge of shaping the government?".  Putnam is running for the seat currently held by Ms. Taylor.

To the Editor:

Andrew Putnam's Op-Ed piece "Why Put Bureaucrats in Charge of Shaping a Government?" about Barnstable County government has three major errors which undercut his argument.

...by definition, the negative connotation "Bureaucrats" refers to full-time, entrenched employees of government departments, the exact opposite of part-time county officials who offer themselves for frequent elections.

First, by definition, the negative connotation "Bureaucrats" refers to full-time, entrenched employees of government departments, the exact opposite of part-time county officials who offer themselves for frequent elections.  ("Bureaucrats" never recommend changes because they prefer the status quo which protects their jobs.)  In fact, the Barnstable County Commissioners did not appoint any "bureaucrats" to the Special Commission on County Government which recently issued a report.  They did appoint two county elected officials, including me, and a few former state, county, and town elected officials who now work in a wide variety of private sector jobs, but the great majority of the twenty-six people who served were local "scientists, lawyers, and business people" of the Cape, the kind of activist citizens like the Founding Fathers that Mr. Putnam admires  It is that majority from the private sector who are eager for changes to county government.

Second, The recommendations of the Special Commission did not "eliminate the Assembly and merge it with the Commissioners to create a seven member executive body," as Mr. Putnam claims, but rather the exact opposite.  The Special Commission recommended a single, appointed executive and an elected seven-member legislative body to act as the check and balance on the executive and its budget, as well as on the Cape Cod Commission and its regulations.

Third, the Special Commission cannot "create the change without the approval of the residents of Cape Cod," that Mr. Putnam asserts.  Any change to the county government charter requires a majority vote by the citizens of Cape Cod on a November state ballot.  

Since any changes to Barnstable County goverment will be important to Cape citizens, they should understand the issues accurately, let their elected Commissioners and Assembly members know what they think, and be sure to vote if proposed changes appear on the ballot.

Julia C. Taylor
Falmouth, MA
Falmouth Delegate, Barnstable County Assembly

Banning dogs has turned Brewster's Drummer Boy Park into a ghost town [Letter to the Editor]

To the Editor:

So, Drummer Boy Park is closed to dogs.

In the meantime, the only folks I see enjoying the park these days are the Brewster Police Dept. (whom I have only the utmost respect for, do not appear to be overly excited about the Board of Health ruling, and are just doing their job), the Brewster Animal Control officer, and a certain gloating member of the Brewster Conservation Trust.

Beyond that, the park is a ghost town.

What's more, though only a handful of non-dog-owners now frequent the park, there is noticeably more trash floating amongst the grounds, attesting to the fact that dogs and dog owners tread lighter on DBP than those who are sans-canine.

As one who overlooks the entire park from my home at virtually all hours of the day, I know from experience that 99.2% of the park's use was comprised of dogs and their companions, and that was not at the exclusion of others who may otherwise enjoy the park.  Quite to the contrary, I have met many young families with kids - families that do not have their own dog – that would purposely take their children to the park in order for their children to interact with our canine friends.

I would urge everyone in disagreement with this travesty of local justice to vote with their pocketbook; contact the Brewster Chamber of Commerce and let them know that your intention is to boycott all organized events held at the park – from craft fairs to antique shows, holiday celebrations to civic functions.

And, let's all hold out hope that legal action may come to pass providing a fly in the BOH ointment - a wrench in the anti-dog machine – that will allow all of us to once again enjoy the park in the spirit in which those precious acres were given to the Town of Brewster - the spirit in which they were meant to be appreciated.   That intention was for Drummer Boy to be enjoyed by everyone, be they bi-pedal or quad-pedal beings.

The unilateral and arbitrary action of the BOH will not and should not stand, and I am confident that sanity, logic and fairness will ultimately prevail.  This discussion needs to be reopened without delay – and the BOH needs to be challenged vigorously.  Please show us documented evidence of illness emanating from the presence of dogs at Drummer Boy Park, Ms. Chaffee and Company. You cannot; It does not exist.

Hope to see you back at DBP soon,

Jon Liebling
West Brewster, MA

Thanks for the nice story [Letter to the Editor]

An appreciative subject writes

Looking for Cape Codders who love maps as he does

By Dave Allen

How nice!  thanks for the write-up. In a previous life I wanted to be a reporter, so I have a secret admiration for anyone who can translate random thoughts into a concise news story.

One other thought.

A different version of Mr. Allen's story
is on Plymouth Daily News here.I am hoping that I might find a reader or two who would analyse these old maps and perhaps write up some short narratives on map features , such as "Dr. Bourne was a much loved family doctor who vigorously suppirted the CCC even though it would wipe out the ancestral homestead..."  (I am not even sure that it did - but considering the geography I suspect that the old Bourne Place is a fishy lair now.)

I would then add the narratives to the web site.  They help make old maps more interesting.

Dave Allen, Chesterfield NH, Old-Maps.com

Renaming the Bass River Bridge is for all veterans and their community [Letter]

Editor's note: The following letter was received in response to the recently preposed renaming of the Bass River Bridge  to the United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Bridge.  See below for links to additional stories and letters.

To the Editor:

As a veteran of the United States Army in a family full of veterans, I have to say how sad I am at a community divided by such a wonderful act of kindness.  I read the numerous articles on the renaming of the Bass River Bridge; a bridge that should bring together two very strong towns instead it seems to be dividing these communities.  The last article I read in The Register indicated that the bridge was to be named only after this one fallen soldier and how wrong two words missing in the title of the bridge changes the meaning.  The bridge was nominated to be named for ALL VETERANS that have served and died for this country, not just one soldier.  It was not submitted as the United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Bridge but as the United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Veterans Memorial Bridge.  The application submitted was to put a face on naming the bridge in memory of all veterans.  A face so that people on Cape Cod will know that soldiers do die in war from here and not just over the bridge in Boston, Springfield, etc.  This soldier was not only a Yarmouth resident but was also a Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School student and athlete, very popular among his peers.

I salute the Cape Cod American Veterans, affiliates and State Representative Demetrius Atsalis for taking a stand to support and believe in this project as so many others do here on Cape Cod.  We seem to be only hearing from people who aren’t in support of it in the media.  Other Towns in Massachusetts have done this and not just for the soldier and his/her family but for the community to remember the fallen soldier and for this soldier to be the symbol for all other veterans who sacrificed their lives in defense of our country, state and town so we may continue to live in a peaceful and free country.  Towns like Raynham for SFC Jared Monti, Leominster for PFC Jonathan Roberge, Fall River for Pvt. Michael E. Bouthot & SFC Russell G. Smith Jr., Taunton for SGT Shane Duffy and Scituate for SGT Michael J. Kelley who renamed a bridge on Route 3A over the North River connecting the communities of Marshfield & Scituate.

Why is the name Bass River Bridge so important, a bridge that most of us drive over everyday and never think of its name, and a bridge that will probably last forever where this one soldier only lasted for a moment.

Elaine Starks, SGT
Veteran of the US Army

Related stories and letters:

• Resistance building against renaming Bass River Bridge for Nicholas Xiarhos
  
• Rename the Bass River Bridge for Nicholas G. Xiarhos--and for all veterans [Letter]
  
• Bass River Bridge to be renamed for fallen hero

Blogger's views on elderly housing show a complete lack of compassion [Letter]

Editor's note: The following letter was received in response to the March 22 post by Roger MacBride in his Alms Matters Blog entitled, "Housing controversy in Yarmouth".

Dear Editor,

In regard to Mr. MacBride's outrageous column regarding the building of elderly housing on Forest Road, I am curious what Mr. MacBride would have these elderly individuals do if they are in need of affordable housing.  Given that he feels Yarmouth has no moral responsibility to assist in providing housing, perhaps he would be satisfied in putting our senior residents on an ice floe and let them float out to sea  or in the words of Marie Antoinette, " if they don't have bread, well let them eat cake".

But I do have to give Mr. MacBride credit for one thing.  He is upfront about his complete lack of compassion and utter contempt for those who have less than he. 

I  trust that the residents of Yarmouth will recognize  the potential residents of any senior housing to be none other than their mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles  and possibly themselves at some future time.   Mr. MacBride apparently measures a man's worth in dollars but I have to hope that the rest of the town has more respect for the value and dignity of their fellow citizens.

Marianne Milton
Broadalbin, New York
(Formerly a commissioner of the Yarmouth Housing Authority)