Author Archives: Betsy Groth

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Writer Distressed Old Lyme Church Flies Israeli Flag, Asks What Others Think

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To the Editor:

I am deeply offended by Shoreline Church on Shore Rd. in Old Lyme flying a huge Israeli flag. 

Netanyahu and his government are committing genocide and other war crimes, including starvation in Palestine—even some Israeli citizens are calling it genocide.

At least 85% of Palestinians are Muslim.

At least one of the church’s neighbor convenience stores is owned by a Muslim.

I find this flag-flying unacceptable and wonder what others think?

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: Here is a reminder of our Policy on Letters to the Editor and our Policy on Comments.

Letter to the Editor: Stealing Political Signs is a Criminal Act, Infringement on Free Speech

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To the Editor:

As a follow up to Kim Thompson’s letter dated September 17, I would like to review a few things.

Signs continue to be stolen from private property.

Here you have theft, as if someone stole your patio furniture.

You have trespassing.

You have infringement on free speech.

This is not mischief; they are criminal acts.

Maybe the thieves feel they are above the law, just like the felonious Republican candidate for President.

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Safe (Gun) Storage Saves Lives—Writer Urges Local Leaders to Endorse Policy Locally

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To the Editor:

Another day in America – another mass shooting. This time in a high school in Georgia. Lives snuffed out, lives ruined forever, families broken to bits.

A lot of pundits saying it is an outrage, an indictment of all the American people: “We allow this…”

No, we don’t. The vast majority of Americans want stricter gun safety measures. The politicians allow it. The NRA allows it. We The People do not!  We must vote out NRA “A rated” members of Congress.

The major cause of death in Americans aged 1-19 is gun violence. What an unbelievable disgrace.

As a nurse, pediatric nurse practitioner and mental health specialist, I have taken care of victims of gun violence. I have comforted kids who have lost a beloved family member to gun violence.

June was Gun Violence Prevention Month. A big part of that is prevention by safe storage of guns. So many gun deaths are accidental. What is inflammatory or threatening about that? The killer in Georgia used his father’s unsecured weapon of mass destruction.

I stressed this in my outreach to leaders of our town. Safe storage saves lives. I encouraged the town to adopt Governor Lamont’s declaration. The answer was no.

I have no words … what a lack of courage and conviction. This is not my town.

One parent in Georgia stated to the media, “It couldn’t happen here!”  Of course it could with corrupt and uncaring politicians, including at the local level.

I think it is important for District 18 parents to know – your kids will never be safe at school.  Don’t be naïve and don’t quit until you get the complete dedication of your General Assembly representatives.  This is supposed to be a representative government.  Be strong.

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth APRN, PMHS,C retired,
Old Lyme.
Editor’s Note: The author is a Children’s’ Health Advocate and member of CT Against Gun Violence.

Letter to the Editor: Gravel Pit Concerns ‘Very Real’, Perhaps ‘Emblematic of Culture of Old Lyme?

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To the Editor:

Thank you, Mr Caron [regarding you letter dated May 22, published on LymeLine.com.] These concerns [re the gravel pit along the Three-Mile River located at 308-1 Mile Creek Rd. in Old Lyme] are very real, and the neighbors of this property are suffering economic, environmental and disturbances to the peace on our properties.

The 1984 (!) noise ordinance in Old Lyme is virtually useless and toothless.

The owner of the property has demonstrated disrespect and lack of civility toward their neighbors.

Is this emblematic of the culture of Old Lyme?

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Resident Has Right to Call for BOE Members, Who Signed Petition Against ‘Book-Banning’, to Resign; But Forgets They Were Elected, That Others Also Have ‘Parental Rights’

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** COMMENTING IS NOW CLOSED ON THIS LETTER **

To the Editor:

At a Region 18 Board of Education meeting on October 4, an Old Lyme resident presented a public comment, asking all Democratic BOE members to step down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zSCLbbfvcM) – [it is about 10 mins in]. His reasoning is that those members support internet pornography for children. This is based on the fact that those members signed a petition against book banning in our community. The speaker made a puzzling, vague connection between the books in question and internet pornography for children. He accused them directly and bizarrely of supporting internet pornography for children.

This resident is free to exercise his First Amendment rights, but he should not be surprised when his remarks fall on deaf ears. These Democrat members of the BOE were elected. Voting, despite efforts to suppress it, still means something. They will not be removed or step down for presumably offending his sensibilities and sensitivities.

If there was any leadership in the room at the time, this might have been pointed out. But there was none.

Not unrelated, his “parental rights” do not supersede mine. And I want my children and grandchildren to have access to all books. I want them to have the freedom to read and learn.

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.
Editor’s Notes: (i) The author is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Board Certified Pediatric Mental Health Specialist.

(ii) The full text of the comment made by Old Lyme resident Emerson Coldwell at the Oct. 4 BOE meeting is now published in this Letter to the Editor from Mr. Colwell.