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Support for Sorrell
Editor of the Reformer:
Bill Sorrell has served the State of Vermont as Attorney General -- the state’s highest law enforcement officer -- for 15 years. He supports and represents all Vermonters, be they Republicans, Democrats, Progressives or independent voters, as he works to defend justice and rights of all Vermonters.
One important issue that Bill and his office have been aggressively and positively dealing with is elder abuse of residents living at nursing homes. In addition, the criminal division of his office has prosecuted over two dozen homicides from every corner of our state, including some infamous and challenging cases. These prosecutions include violent killings of young children, women killed in acts of domestic violence and acts against nursing home residents.
Bill Sorrell deserves our support to continue the important work his office is doing under his guidance. Please vote for Sorrell on Aug. 28.
Gail W. Speno,
Brattleboro, Aug. 7
Support for Moore
Editor of the Reformer:
I was pleased to see, but not surprised that Chris Moore of Saxtons River chose to head up a committee to help a needed service survive.
The Saxtons River Rec area is one of those Vermont traditions that is falling to the wayside due to finances and lack of time for community members to attempt to keep it up. Too many young and old would be affected
I am involved with a philanthropic organization, Together We Can, that has helped numerous individuals and organizations in our community. We would support Mr. Moore, if needed in this project. It is that important for our local community.
It should also be noted that Chris will be running for a seat in the House of Representatives this November, (the primary is on Aug. 28). He is the kind of leader that we need. He would be at the forefront of many area needs, (such as the survival of the Rec Area), if elected.
He is committed to Windham County and its residents. He would represent you well. He is a young man with a vision and character that would make the quality of life for Vermonters that much better. He is a voice of reason and in this time of partisanship, would be a breath of fresh air that would bow only to logic.
Again, thanks Chris for your leadership locally and to all please send him to Montpelier to have a greater voice in the State.
Remember to exercise your right to vote on Aug. 28.
Paul Kane,
Westminster Station, Aug. 7
Remembering Dr. Matt
Editor of the Reformer:
I was not at all surprised to see that Linda Hellus was the first to write in expressing her sadness over the death of Dr. Trudy Matt. Both Linda and Trudy have been well known animal activists in Windham County for many years. Years ago, Linda Hellus practically was the humane society.
I did not know Trudy well, but I worked with her for years often relying on her to help with colonies of stray cats I would bring in (frequently with the help of WCHS) to be neutered and vaccinated. She was the epitome of the stereotypical country vet; efficient, no-nonsense, empathetic and spent little time on formalities. She provided an invaluable service for so many people, many of them lower income. She was single-handedly responsible for saving thousands of lives and preventing thousands of litters of unwanted kittens and puppies. I was so grateful for the work she enabled so many of us amateur animal rescuers to do. I relied on her advice and often wished there was a Dr. Trudy Matt in every community in the country.
When I read stories in the Reformer about the community reaching out to the Diamondstones after a fire destroyed their home, or Laura Murphy who has dedicated much of her life to raising funds for spay/neuter programs, or Roger Poitras providing horseback riding lessons to disabled children and adults -- I am struck that we are all at the mercy of one another, luck, and fate. Whether it be animals or children or adults, I’m not sure it matters. But I do think it matters that we help one another and that we reach out when we see something that needs to be done -- whether it’s an unexpected trip to the vet for an animal we find in distress or helping a neighbor that needs assistance, we lend a hand, we help. Trudy Matt lived her life this way and set an example for all of us.
In her final months, when terribly sick and knowing her time was limited, she continued to give back to the best of her abilities for as long as she was able. I am only one of so many who will miss this remarkable woman and the work she did. It was the way she lived her life. I hope more of us will use hers as an example of how to live ours.
Lydia Mahan,
Guilford, Aug. 7
ACA just makes sense
Editor of the Reformer:
This past December, I had a fall that landed me in the hospital with five broken bones and a follow up appointment with an orthopedist. He looked at my X-ray and told me the bones would heal on their own: $3,831 all told.
Now, I was lucky. I have health insurance. But, if I didn’t, under our current system, I wouldn’t have received care, or the cost of those services would have been passed on to the taxpayers. President Obama’s law, the Affordable Care Act takes on this unfairness.
The ACA requires people to be ensured through their employer or an insurance "exchange." When everyone has coverage, costs go down because the larger pool of customers reduces the average risk to the insurer and therefore the cost of each individual’s care.
Republicans have had a long time to think of other solutions, but all I hear is, "Just let the free market system work and it will take care of things." More than 95 percent of the money spent on diabetes research goes to managing, not curing, the disease. Why? Because, the sale of drugs and equipment brings in a constant flow of money, but a cure stops that flow. It just isn’t profitable to cure disease. Our current "free market" system encourages providers to only care about dollars, not health.
Additionally, the ACA ensures everything from the lifting of lifetime limits on care hanging over my head to the 20-somethings walking around without insurance thinking nothing can happen to them cause they’re young. (Wrong!)
The ACA cares about people. We do not want to throw the ACA out. It’s not perfect, but it is a long awaited, wonderful first step that will save lives.
Pam Clark,
Westmoreland, N.H., Aug. 8
BCC charge increase?
Editor of the Reformer:
Recently the Board of the Brattleboro Country Club voted unanimously to assess an extra charge of $400 per membership to cover shortfalls for the 2012 season. This is the second consecutive year the loyal members of BCC have been "penalized" in such a way.
The Board lists as one of its reasons for this "special assessment" as the loss of shareholders -- 28 less than the previous year. This decision will only drive its current members away or cause the club to be more of an elitist membership, if it manages to survive at all.
The Brattleboro Country Club is a beautiful golf course, but also one of the most expensive golf courses in this area and aside from Crumpin’ Fox; I don’t know of any more costly. It’s been understood that the enjoyment of playing there for the cost is part of the deal. But after being zapped for consecutive years with extra fees I, as well as some of my cronies, will be looking for more welcoming alternatives for next year.
Mick Durante,
Guilford, Aug. 6
