Monthly Archives: October 2021

Answers to Your Questions About ‘Letters to the Editor’ Regarding the Election

Posted on by
1

LYME/OLD LYME — As previously announced, we have removed all Letters to the Editor from our homepage and they are all now published on our Letters page in the order in which they were received.

We will continue to publish any further letters received before our final deadline of Sunday, Oct. 31, at midnight, on our Letters page only.

Any Letters received after midnight on Sunday will not be published.

Thank you or sending in so many Letters to the Editor, which raised a wide variety of issues.  We hope they are helping readers with their election decisions.

Old Lyme BOS In-Person Debate Scheduled for Today at 5pm

Posted on by
7

OLD LYME — After the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to organize an in-person debate between the candidates for the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen fell through, the campaign managers of the Old Lyme Republican and Democratic parties have worked together to try and make it happen.

The date and time for the debate are now confirmed as Monday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. The location will be Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.

The moderator is yet to be named, whether it will be live-streamed and/or recorded, how the questions will be selected and precise details of the format are still under discussion.

Both LymeLine.com and the CT Examiner have been asked to solicit questions from their readers for possible inclusion in the debate. We therefore invite readers to send us their questions as soon as possible. The deadline for receipt of questions is Sunday at 9 p.m.

Please send them via email to editor@lymeline.com with the subject line “Questions for BOS Debate.” Feel free to submit multiple questions if you wish.

We will update further details of the debate as they are finalized, but in the meantime, send us your questions!

The Movie Man: A Ticket to ‘Dune’ is Worth Every Penny

Posted on by
Reply

Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man.’

There is nothing groundbreaking about Dune (think special effects or storytelling). But every technique invoked was done in the proper manner. I was beyond satisfied with every choice made in production. Cinematography, music, acting, editing … it was all done right.

I cannot emphasize enough how pleased I was with this adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi novel. While I had not read the book (beyond the first two chapters), friends raved about the adaptation being everything for which they could they could ask.

I also had not screened the 1984 adaptation helmed by David Lynch, but was aware of its poor reception. This is not intended to be a single film, as the novel was the first in a series, and we saw no sequel to Lynch’s version, which should tell us everything we need to know about its quality.

Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel ‘Dune’ has been made into a just-released movie.

Director Denis Villeneuve (whose previous films include Arrival and Blade Runner 2049) has now delivered a film that makes us eagerly await its next installments. I would say it is the equivalent of a perfectly-pitched TV pilot.

Perhaps what I was most impressed by was the explanations for intricate details and rules for this universe without breaking the fourth wall. It was as if we were conveniently learning everything in preparation for future events without making it obvious and cringeworthy.

There is also the establishment of Zendaya’s character. Although her formal performances are reserved for the end of the movie, she appears via interwoven vignettes throughout the film, conveying her importance.

I cannot review any further without giving away spoilers, even in the slightest manner (I know many people who would react to a minor revelation in a manner equivalent to Frank Costanza on Seinfeld: “I like to go in fresh!”)

In short, the ticket is worth every penny and the trip to the theater is worth every second spent away from home.

About the Author: Though no longer a resident of Lyme, Kevin knows he can never sever his roots to the tree of his identity. When not attending to his job in Boston, he is committed to ensuring a better grasp of current (and past) releases of cinema to his home community as he strives to leave his own mark in the same field that has always been his guide to understanding life. If you enjoy his published reviews here on LymeLine.com, follow him on his new website at ‘The City of Cinema‘ and read more of his unique insights into entertainment.

Letter to the Editor: Shoemaker, Lampos Will Play by Rules; Keep Public Informed; Solve Problems — Not Kick Them Down Road.

Posted on by
Reply

To the Editor:

Old Lyme needs a First Selectman who is transparent, accountable and gets things done.  Tim Griswold does not fit this bill, as recently illustrated.  The town’s Employee Handbook limits the vacation time that employees may carry over at year end.  Nevertheless, Mr. Griswold approved, on his own initiative, requests by a number of town employees to carry over time in excess of that allowed.  In addition, he offered two employees, but not others, the right to receive cash in lieu of some of their excess days.

It was not right for Mr. Griswold to take it upon himself to ignore policy and endorse disparate treatment among our employees–rather than take timely, proactive measures to handle the situation properly.  For months he had been urged to retain a professional human resources firm to assist with employee management matters, finally delegating this important task to his assistant rather than an appropriate committee.

Electing Martha Shoemaker as First Selectwoman and Jim Lampos as Selectman will assure that this sort of mismanagement does not occur in the future.  They will play by the rules, keep the public informed, and solve problems–not kick them down the road.  Please vote for them on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Griffin,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: More Transparency, Information, Accountability Needed on Old Lyme BOF; Vote Dem’s Reiter, Mock onto Board to Achieve That Change

Posted on by
Reply

To the Editor:

It is time for a change on the Old Lyme Board of Finance (BOF).  We need more diversity, balance of opinion and public information. Four of the six regular members of the BOF, and its chairman, have forever been Republicans. They always vote as a block.  I strongly support the well-qualified candidates currently endorsed by the Democrats.

My decision is based in part on problems I witnessed virtually at BOF meetings. It seemed to me that not enough information was being presented at the meetings, shared with the public or reflected in the minutes. At the September 21 meeting, for example, the financial report for August was on the agenda but it was not discussed because the Finance Director could not be connected by phone. The BOF members were directed by Chairman Kelsey to submit questions by email. No questions, answers or members’ comments were discussed at the October BOF meeting. It is also frustrating that public comment is never on the agenda for BOF meetings.

We need more diversity, transparency, information and accountability from the BOF. We will get that from the Democratic candidates up for election.  The two contested regular seats are being sought by Anna Reiter, an outstanding, incumbent member of the Board, and Bradley Mock, a business consultant with invaluable on-point experience.  Please vote for them on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Alison C. Mitchell,
Old Lyme.