Category Archives: Letters

Letter to the Editor: ‘Driving Doughnuts’ on Phoebe’s Front Lawn is Appalling Act of Vandalism, We Don’t Need ‘Anti-Booksters’ in Old Lyme

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To the Editor: 

Have you visited the newly renovated Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library? Mostly completed by springtime, with hours and access slightly impacted by COVID; I’ll relate the reaction of my four-and-two-thirds-years-old grandson, Hunter (he’s very precise), who has been a regular, occasional visiting patron of the library for nearly two years.

“Wow! This is cool!”

Then, Phoebe’s Garden of native plants, really a small meadow, was on the Pollinator Pathway; and, I believe, the future site of a perennials’ garden. We dedicated the Witness Stones Project, recognizing some 14 African-Americans, who were once enslaved along what is now Lyme St.

Unfortunately, as we saw the landscaping plan progress into October, someone apparently just couldn’t resist driving up onto the newly hydro-seeded wet and muddy front lawn area, “doing doughnuts”, and leaving deep ruts. I can’t begin to express how I feel about that act of vandalism.

Come on, people! We’ve heard from anti-vaxxers and anti- maskers over the last few years. Is the new Old Lyme term “anti -bookster”? I can live without that, too.

Sincerely,

Thomas D. Gotowka,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Lampos is Paying Attention to Old Lyme’s Halls Rd Project, Looking Out for People of OL; Merits Vote

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To the Editor:

After reading Greg Stroud’s editorial in the CT Examiner last week concerning the Halls Road project, I looked up the minutes of recent Planning Commission meetings to find out the status of this project.  I noticed that Democratic selectman and commission candidate Jim Lampos was prepared and had questions concerning the proposed zoning changes.  Republican selectman candidate Matt Ward, who also is on the Planning Commission, remained silent throughout.

I’m grateful that Jim Lampos is paying attention, keeping his eye on the project, and looking out for the interests of the people of Old Lyme.  I strongly encourage you to vote for him on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Quiros,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Democrat Mock, an Outstanding Candidate, Will Restore Balance to Republican-Controlled Old Lyme BOF

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To the Editor:

Please vote for Bradley Mock for the Old Lyme Board of Finance.  He is an outstanding candidate and we need to restore some balance to the Republican controlled board.

Bradley is a business and analytics professional. He has a Bachelor of science and Master of Business Administration degrees from Renssalear Polytechnic Institute. He has been a project manager for Fortune 100  companies , including Accenture and Pratt and Whitney.  Bradley has served as treasurer of several organizations and is currently Board of Finance Chair for the Old Lyme DTC.  He has kids in our fine school system and is an active coach of their soccer teams.

In short, Bradley is intimately familiar with our community and committed to its success. His training, business experience and analytical ability make him uniquely qualified to understand Old Lyme’s needs and our financial resources, and how to best meld the two.  We need  to elect him and other Democratic candidates on November 2.

Sincerely,

George C. Finley,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is  a member of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, Old Lyme Harbor Commission and Chairman of the Old Lyme Board of Assessment Appeals. 

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

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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

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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.