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Re-site the skate park, preserve
the Crowell Lot
Editor of the Reformer:
As a young police officer in the early 1960’s, I was leaving the police station one afternoon and observed my first skateboarder on Grove Street Hill headed towards Main Street. The late Sgt. Albert Hall and I were both shocked to see that this young man was standing on his head with his hands keeping his body upright on the skateboard.
From that time on, the complaints of skateboarders increased and we heard the same remarks that we need a skatepark in this town. Safety for our youth is extremely important. I truly believe that Brattleboro does need a skate park. I also firmly believe that skateboards and traffic do not mix. Helmets should be required also.
Note the recent skateboard fatality in Burlington. In Waterbury Center the skateboard rules dictate that helmets are to be used at all times. Recently I have noticed new signs regarding the use of the Crowell Lot as a skatepark. These signs ask for a different site for the skatepark location.
As a police officer in Brattleboro for over 30 years and a lifetime citizen of this town, I look at the Crowell lot with fond memories. I played ball at this park, attended recreational activities in the summer and attended the horseshoe contests in evenings. This has always been a family park and continues to be used by families.
Many times in the past, complaints were registered
Last week the Keene Sentinal ran a news item regarding the damage to the skateboard park on Gilbo Avenue in Keene that forced the park to close and cancel a skateboard contest. It was said that the skateboard park did attract vandals to the area and it was not necessarily skateboarders whom caused the damage.
In conclusion, yes, we need a skateboard park but not at the Crowell Lot. We do not need to attract vandals to a park next door to a public school and so close to residential homes. Please, Brattleboro Selectboard, listen to these residents. You represent them, also.
Richard J. Guthrie,
Ret. Chief of Police,
Brattleboro, Sept. 11
Romney scoring no points politicizing violence in Libya
Editor of the Reformer:
In his book "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72," Hunter Thompson described Hubert Humphrey as "campaigning like a rat in heat." Not sure this was fair to poor Humphrey, whose 1948 speech to the Democratic National Convention still stands as a watershed in the history of the civil rights movement, and who never had a clear shot at the gold ring. But the phrase, delicious and arresting in its precision and vigor, has stuck in my mind since I read it long ago.
After listening to Mitt Romney’s attempt to politicize and spin the terrible tragedy of the recent murder of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three other members of our delegation there, it seems the apt phrase to describe his approach to his presidential ambitions: A rat in heat. I’m dreading the next few weeks of our rapidly devolving political discourse. That Romney might become our commander in chief seems unthinkable. A truly frightening prospect.
Mac Gander,
Brattleboro, Sept. 12
Kudos to Steve West for asking the right questions
Editor of the Reformer:
Congratulations to Steve West and radio station WKVT for the excellent reporting on the Vermont House primary election for Brattleboro District 3. Mr. West interviewed the candidates and asked appropriate questions regarding the candidates political and community service histories.
Having been associated with the campaigns of Bernie Sanders for well over 20 years I was disturbed to learn of Kate O’Connor’s attempt to minimize her role in the 2008 Republican campaign of Rich Tarrant. The record suggests a much more robust effort by O’Connor on behalf of Tarrant. By the way this was a campaign that implied that somehow Sanders enabled drug users and pedophiles. My, my.
Steve West’s questions were proper for any candidate for public office. Any attempt to impugn the integrity of Mr. West and by implication WKVT because of his inquiries is improper. Is it not the role of the news media to challenge the prevarications of any public official?
Thanks to Steve West and WKVT for their valuable community service.
Tim Kipp,
Brattleboro, Sept. 6
Family fun at Estey Labs
Editor of the Reformer:
On Saturday, I attended the Estey Labs at the Estey Organ Museum on Birge Street with my 7-year-old grandson Scott. We had an absolutely marvelous time. In the morning from 10 a.m. to noon, Dennis Waring worked with us to each make our own box banjo. They really play. Incredible. In the afternoon, we got to play many of the organs there including a large pipe organ and an organ that someone has to crank while you play it. The building reverberated with lively tunes. and we all learned how all of these different organs work, and how other musical instruments work as well. This museum and these programs are a great resource to the community and I encourage everyone to stop by for a visit.
Even better, take your children and grandchildren and go to Estey Labs. They will be holding them for the next few weeks. Next week they will be making flutes, the following week a rawhide drum, and on the 29th a xylophone. And there will be special organ related events in the afternoon. Learn more and register at http://www.esteyorganmuseum.org/estey-labs.
This is a fantastic way to honor an industry that was key to the development of Brattleboro.
Mary Ellen Copeland,
Dummerston, Sept. 10
Farewell, Ms. Morse
Editor of the Reformer:
This letter is the bearer of sad tidings. I just read in the Sept. 6 Reformer about the death of Stacy Morse last Jan. 1. According to the Reformer, she died last Jan. 1 at the relatively young age of 59.
I was acquainted with her and didn’t know her that well, but 59 is relatively young. Of course I’ve known of people who’ve died far younger, including a cousin who was killed in a car accident almost 44 years ago in upstate Vermont. At this time, all I can say is rest in peace, dear sister, you will be missed.
Shalom,
Lou Waronker,
Brattleboro, Sept. 6
