Category Archives: Letters

Letter to the Editor: Boathouse Project Moving Too Fast, Costs Too Much, Benefits Too Few

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An Open Letter to the Citizens of Old Lyme

On Oct. 1, a special meeting was held by the Town to present new boathouse plans for rowers at Rogers Lake.  Construction costs are estimated to be $883,000: with $478,000 being a CT STEEP grant, and the remaining $405,000 to be contributed by the town of Old Lyme from its rainy day account.

The Town is in a hurry to move this project forward in a very short time so that construction can begin.  Some would say the Town is in too much of a hurry.

While a boon for the approximate 100 rowers in Old Lyme (50 students and 50 adult rowers), there is next to nothing in this project for the other citizens who are being asked to pay for this effort.

Several areas of concern are:

  • The scope has changed so much from the original grant proposal, the Town will have to resubmit scope to ensure the grant is still valid. For example, the existing boathouse will be torn down, not renovated, and construction of new docks will not be included.  We are being asked to approve funding of $405,000 to support a grant we aren’t sure will be re-approved by the state.  Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?
  • The President of the rower’s association anticipates program growth to be no more than 10 to 20%. Whether that growth is measured in participants or boats, the proposed boathouse appears substantially over designed.  The current program is supported by approximately 35 boats, whereas the new boathouse is designed to house 53 boats.
  • A scant 1 week of public discussion has been allowed before a vote. Don’t you believe more time and consideration is warranted to make an informed decision on such a large expenditure?
  • As a community, we are proud of the success and accomplishments of our rowers. However, since the boathouse stores boats donated by the rower’s association to Region 18, wouldn’t it make sense to have Region 18 pay rent until the costs to Old Lyme are offset?

As with any project being rushed, too many questions remain unanswered to request the good people of Old Lyme to approve spending over $400,000 of its $4.9 million rainy day fund for so few citizens  Some would even question whether this is a proper use of a rainy day fund.

Not allowing proper consideration for other potentially-interested parties to comment on how to broaden the public interest in the project would be a mistake … politically and possibly economically.  For instance, why not renovate and heat the existing bathrooms for everyone’s use, in lieu of constructing new bathrooms for rowers only for an estimated cost of $130,000? (9/15/2014 Committee minutes)

This project should be delayed to allow ample time to improve the project in the interests of the Town as a whole.  Even if, in the event, there are no other interested parties, at least everyone would have been given a chance to respond.  Please attend the Town Meeting and vote for what is best for the community.

See you at the Middle School at 7:30, Oct. 6!

Sincerely,

Steve Cinami,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Bjornberg has the Skills

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To the Editor:

Every now and then a candidate who represents the best goals of all parties appears. Fortunately we have this candidate in Emily Bjornberg who is running for the 33rd State Senate District. She is energetic, smart, can negotiate, and is a great communicator. Unlike some who run, her desire in doing so is just to make Connecticut a better place. Emily has the skills to do that. A member of the Reynolds Garage family in Lyme, she is a working mother of two children. Her husband, Jason, is an Iraq War Veteran.

Among other issues, Emily is strong on the environment, education, woman’s issues, gun control, and improving benefits for veterans. Please take the opportunity to hear Emily speak at a candidate’s forum or “meet and greet” session. You will be sold on her ability to get things done in a thoughtful and positive manner.

Please join me on November 4 in supporting Emily Bjornberg for State Senate.

I believe her to be the best qualified candidate.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Pleva
Essex

An Open Letter to our Readers from Diane Birdsall

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An Open Letter to Friends and Patrons of the Diane Birdsall Gallery

I have taken on a job that will take me outside of the gallery in Old Lyme and into another phase of exhibiting.

I will be working with a hotel developer, Charles Mallory — he operates several beautiful and viable hotels in Greenwich, Southport, Stamford, Aspen [Marfa] Texas and a Vermont inn to be completely revamped, as well as a new hotel project on the boards to open in 2016.

I closed the Old Lyme, 16 Lyme Street address gallery at the end of this past show on Aug. 22. The walk-in traffic has always been slow and having a presence outside of the brick and mortar space is more viable.

After SCOPE in Basel and Cutlog in New York, I am now receiving request regarding sales and just recently sold a work to the largest art collector in Turkey.

Funny how art sales work — it sometimes takes years or minutes for people to make a move.

I do conceive a pop-up show here in Connecticut in a completely different sort of space.  You as patrons and clients are important to me and bringing the work of artists out into exhibition is my passion, so I do not want to lose this side of the art world that I truly enjoy.

My website will remain active and I have planned exhibits for 2015 – they will take place in new locations and expanding worlds.

I have always felt honored to work with talented artists and to be a part of their world.  And encouraging others to bring art into their life is like food for me — an absolute necessity — how can you live without it?

I could not have enjoyed the success of these past eight years without your help and belief and I thank you for your patronage and friendship.  See you soon under a different tent, but assuredly an exciting format.

With heartfelt thanks to you.

Sincerely,

Diane Birdsall
www.dianebirdsallgallery.com

Letter to the Editor: Bjornberg Shows Genuine Concern for Children’s Safety

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To the Editor:

State Senator Linares recently issued a press release calling for hearings on recent infant fatalities in families having dealings with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Few would dispute the importance of understanding why these deaths occurred, and whether DCF can be doing a better job.

But where was Linares’ concern for children when he voted against the Newtown gun control bill, saying he hadn’t read it? More recently, where was his concern for children when he used his position – some might say abused his position – to appoint a paid representative of companies that manufacture cadmium-containing jewelry to a panel looking into health issues presented by cadmium in jewelry intended for children?

Linares voted against a ban on known carcinogens in children’s clothes, and opposed efforts to create a watch list of chemicals of high concern to children. He was also one of only two Children’s Committee members to vote against a ban on spraying toxic pesticides at all Connecticut schools. His concern for the safety of children is not at all obvious given his voting record and appointments.

Senator Linares’ opponent, on the other hand, seems to be genuinely concerned for children’s safety. Emily Bjornberg is the mother of children ages 4 and 7, and for the past seven years has been the Youth and Family Ministries Director of the Deep River Congregational Church. Her concerns mirror my own and she will get my vote in the November election for State Senator.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Sund
Essex.

Letter to the Editor: Retiring State Rep. Giuliano Supports Carney to Succeed Her

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To the Editor:

I write in support of Devin Carney for State Representative for Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook in the upcoming August 12th Republican primary.

Devin will work for all of us with energy, with integrity, and with an abiding interest not in politics, but in public service.

In the 12 years that I’ve served in the General Assembly, I’ve been an eye witness to what it takes to succeed in that world – the thought and deliberation required to craft good public policy; and the importance of each vote cast on behalf of 24,000 people. We speak of jobs, the economy, and political issues, but the work of the state representative is really about people, families and communities who count on the attention, the concern, and the commitment of their state representative. Devin Carney is known for these attributes and can be counted on to listen and to serve.

Each legislative session brings difficult challenges to confront and, for Connecticut, these challenges loom large. I am confident that Devin Carney will confront these tough issues with fairness, honesty, intelligence, and with an impassioned advocacy on behalf of us all.

Join me in supporting Devin Carney on August 12th.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Giuliano,
Old Saybrook.
Editor’s Note: The author is State Representative for the 23rd District.