Monthly Archives: November 2017

Lyme First Selectman Candidates Respond to Our Questions

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To assist our Lyme readers in making their choices regarding for whom they should vote tomorrow, we posed three questions in writing to the candidates for Lyme First Selectman as follows:

  1. Why are you running?
  2. What are the three most significant issues that Lyme is currently facing?
  3. With reference to your Question 2 response, which issue of the three is the greatest and how do you envisage dealing with it?

We gave a 250-word limit for the response to each question to which each candidate adhered strictly: we are most appreciative of that.

We thank both candidates sincerely for responding in a timely manner and are pleased to publish their responses today accompanied by their respective biographies and photos.

Click on the links below to read each candidate’s responses:

Steven Mattson (D): Candidate (Incumbent) for Lyme First Selectman

Mark Wayland (R): Candidate for Lyme First Selectman

 

Letter to the Editor: Planning Commission Chair Endorses Hard-working, “Thinker” Kerr for Old Lyme Selectman

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To the Editor:

Chris Kerr is an intelligent, hardworking individual with integrity, a personal approach to people and dedication to the Town of Old Lyme.

For decades, I have known Chris personally, professionally and as a volunteer in service to the Town of Old Lyme.  Chris is a “thinker” and not a reactionary.  Chris’s approach to situations is very professional as Chris works to identify the source of a concern and then strives to define and implement a reasonable resolution.  Beyond the Planning Commission, Chris also has extensive experience as a member of the Old Lyme Board of Finance.

As a member of the Planning Commission, Chris has actively supported changes to the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) that supports planned growth for the Town of Old Lyme.  Recently, Chris has actively supported proposed changes to the POCD that encourages changes in Old Lyme land use regulations that would simplify applications to modify shoreline residential structures to comply with FEMA standards.  I believe that Chris is a valuable resource and as Selectman, would make a tremendous contribution to Old Lyme.

Sincerely,

Harold Thompson,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the chairman of the Old Lyme Planning Commission.

Letter to the Editor: Democrat High Speed Rail Activist Wants Change in Old Lyme, Voting Republican

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To the Editor:

Over the last two years I have worked on the high-speed rail issue with nearly every community, from Providence, RI, to Greenwich, CT.
I’d like to think that I’ve gained an honest measure of Old Lyme, and our town government.
I understand the reluctance of many of you to cross the aisle, but this liberal Democrat will be voting for a change on November 7. I’ll be voting for Judith Reed and Chris Kerr for Old Lyme. I strongly urge you to join me.
Sincerely,
Greg Stroud,

Old Lyme

Editor’s Note: The author is the founder of SECoast.org.

See ‘Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age,’ Tonight; All Welcome to This Free Event

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The Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) is hosting a free screening of the film Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme High School Auditorium.

Screenagers is the first feature documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and to offer parents proven solutions that work.  This is the parenting issue of our time, and LYSB hopes this film will begin to foster community-wide and family conversations.

Teens and kids are spending more time on their phones than ever before.  Kids spend on average 6.5 hours a day on screens and that doesn’t include classroom or homework screen time. Boys spend on average the equivalent of 1.5 days on video games every week.  Some recent studies show us that screen time increases dopamine production and causes behavior that mimics addiction.

Physician and filmmaker, Delaney Ruston decided to make Screenagers when she found herself constantly struggling with her two kids about screen time. Ruston felt guilty and confused, not sure what limits were best, especially around mobile phones, social media, gaming, and how to monitor online homework. Hearing repeatedly how other parents were equally overwhelmed, she realized this is one of the biggest, unexplored parenting issues of our time.

Director Ruston turned the camera on her own family and others—revealing stories that depict messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction.  In this 60-minute documentary, she probes into teens and their digital lives, exploring her own family as well. The film reveals how tech time impacts the development of kids, and offers solutions on how they can better navigate their cyber world.

Interwoven into compelling stories, are cutting edge science and insights from thought leaders such as Peggy Orenstein, Sherry Turkle, Simon Sinek, as well as leading brain scientists who present evidence on real changes happening in the brain. Screenagers goes far beyond exposing the risks of screen time, but reveals multiple approaches on how parents and educators can work with kids to help them achieve a healthy amount of screen time.

The screening is sponsored by the LYSB, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools, and made possible by a grant from the Lyme-Old Lyme Education Foundation.  The 60-minute documentary and subsequent discussion will explore social media, video gaming, use of screens in academics, and Internet addiction. The film will also explore ways parents can intervene and educate in a way that empowers their teens. The film is not available for streaming, renting, or purchasing, and can only be seen at a community screening.

The screening on Nov. 6 in Old Lyme is free and open to the public, and is suitable for all audiences ages 10 and up.  The film will be shown to all Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School students during the school day.

For more information, contact LYSB at 860-434-7208 or www.lysb.org  or www.screenagersmovie.com

Letter to the Editor: Reemsnyder, Nosal Offer Sound Leadership Combined With Future Vision for Old Lyme

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To the Editor:

Exercising you right to vote is crucial, especially when you live in a small town. Having experienced, knowledgeable leadership with a vision for our future is most important. We have that here in Old Lyme with First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal. Together they have worked hard to keep a strong surplus, while also maintaining a Mill rate much lower than most of our surrounding towns.

Bonnie and Mary Jo worked tirelessly to stop Amtrak from rolling through our historic district.

They spearheaded improvements of the streetscape and handicap accessibility on Hartford Avenue. Besides these enhancements and others that Bonnie and Mary Jo have made in Old Lyme, the indispensable quality of this team is their experience. Before Bonnie was elected First Selectwoman, she served on the Board of Selectmen for several years. Therefore, she started her position with an understanding of our town government and how it functions. Since Bonnie and Mary Jo have held office, they have collaborated with area towns and their leadership, giving them a network of know how. The point is, when you are looking to have a job done right you hire the people with experience! The only candidates this election with the experience to do the job right are First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal. Vote Row A on November 7th.

Sincerely,

Marisa Hartmann,
OldLyme.