To the Editor:
As an independent resident of Old Lyme for the past 38 years, I have recently become very distressed by the unpleasant tone of the local campaign rhetoric. The people who serve in our local public offices are our neighbors, most of whom volunteer their time and energy in service to the town welfare and functioning. In a town the size of Old Lyme the material and status benefits are minimal at best. It is reasonable to expect a wide variety of values and opinions as to how best to achieve optimal benefit and function. Most town business is also conducted either in public or at least on public record. Thus, citizens are free to keep fully informed as what is being considered and done.
In recent political discourse one party has decided to accuse their neighbors and current office holders of greed, dishonesty, laziness, ignorance and concealment. They have, further, claimed to have the mission to “protect” the town from these destructive forces. This inflammatory language seems designed to arouse anger and fear that our town is under malevolent threat.
Most people who live in Old Lyme do so by choice and value the small semi-rural nature of the town. Old Lyme does face some important challenges, as our local strip malls go up for sale for instance. People will and should have many differing ideas about these issues. it is, however, a functioning, small New England democracy, with town meetings and neighborly town office holders. There is no need for the venom that is being injected into our civil discourse.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Derry,
Old Lyme.
I agree, please see the DTC mailer and then video about me bringing MAGA to Old Lyme.
One does notice the “venom” in the campaign literature showing up in our mailbox six days a week,but it seems a reflection of the anger nationwide as America makes the awkward transition from an industrialized economy to a service based one.It’s not something which has sparked much discussion other than many beating their chests and ignoring the perils and opportunities which lay in front of us.Auromation has made many jobs obsolete and the coming AI revolution will do more of the same.Not discussing our future and role in “the machine” will lead to further anger and drastic,emotionally driven decisions.Sad that.
But,this is not why I write!No.It is my usual,local issue regarding Whippoorwill Road,my longtime home street.It needs a proper repaying badly.Even closer to home,the storm drain in front of my driveway needs removal.Why?We have the best vernal pond in the state and that storm drain lies along an amphibian migration route to get to said pond.Many of you may laugh and disregard this as trivial but it isn’t to me.Our amphibians not only devour many insects each year but are a key indicator of the health of our soil and ground water.This should concern everyone.When trying to cross the street to go lay eggs in the pond many fall in and never fulfill their role.The drain has got to be covered over and go.
The other Whippoorwill Road issue is the speeding.Running,biking or walking our dog can be very treacherous.I would accept this risk if walking him alongside the track at Lime Rock Park at a car race,but not here.Stop signs need to be placed where Whippletree Lane meets Whippoorwill Road to get people to stop.Maybe the local constabulary can set up speed traps.We welcome their using our driveway to do so.In an age where tax revenue is needed more than ever,much could be raised in the form of speeding tickets.Works for me!