Hartford School Board chair apologizes

I apologize to Hartford for the School Board’s poor performance leading up to and including last Wednesday’s meeting.

There is no doubt that we could have, and should have, handled things differently. Each and every one of us regrets what has transpired.

Those of you who know me, know how I feel about you, our students, families, and our community! “We are all Hurricanes!”

As a community, we are facing an unprecedented series of unfortunate events that are leading to a perfect storm that we, as members of the School Board, must help our town’s school district weather and survive.

The complexities and impact of the tax structure that have come down from Montpelier will have unwanted impacts on our staff, students, parents and community. And believe me when I tell you we, as a board entrusted to make the best decisions for this district, are deeply troubled by this. That distress and strain was palpable at last Wednesday’s meeting. Again, I would like to apologize for its outcome.

My concern for all of you is genuine. This is our Hurricane Irene. Let’s all come together and weather this as the amazing team that we are!

Hurricanes forever!!

Kevin “Coach” Christie

Hartford

The writer is chairman of the Hartford School Board.

Hartland preservation
plan is short-sighted

Hartland taxpayers are being asked for $100,000 to conserve the Pohl property. The benefit offered to the Town is year-round recreational trails. Since there are always two sides to an issue, I thought I would provide some potential reasons why Hartland's tax dollars should not be involved.

1. Who will develop and maintain these proposed recreational trails and what's the cost? Perhaps Hartland would be better served using $100,000 for a recreational project or improvement that benefits the entire community beyond trails.

2. This land is not highly visible, has no view potential and is already used for winter trails. The parcel is only 70 acres and mostly flat and out of sight.

3. Any proposed development of the 70 acres will be visible from Route 12. The access to this site is a 50-foot right-of-way. The right-of-way crosses private lands currently used as the Saturday morning trash collection site. Can this right-of-way be expanded to a highway? Development requires permits by Act 250 along with water, sewer, drainage, access, disturbance etc.

4. A conservation in perpetuity? Hartland is less than 300 years old. If the village is ever to expand in the future, then where? Hartland is blocked to the south by a cemetery, school and interstate. Blocked to the east by steep terrain, Blocked to the west by Lulls Brook and flood plain. The only expansion available is north, crossing Pohl land. Who knows what will be needed in the next 200, 500 or more years.

5. This land is private and will remain private. I don't believe tax dollars should be used to support a private land sale. If Pohl really desires to have his lands conserved then he should reduce his price.

6. As a last thought, these lands are within walking and biking distance to downtown Hartland. Because of this, I feel these lands should be marked in the Town Plan for high density development. Any high density development should occur between 3 and 4 corners in a serviceable location.

Tim Rockwood

Hartland

Candidates for
Hartford Selectboard

I’m writing on behalf of myself and not on behalf of the Town of Hartford or the Selectboard.

Selectboard elections are coming up March 5, and I believe these candidates have the skills, character, and work ethic to put Hartford’s needs and people first:

■Ida Griesemer (3-year term)

■Brandon Smith (2-year term)

■Susan M. Buckholz (2-year term)

Having served on the Selectboard, I know the role requires expertise and commitment to both the day-to-day grind of town business and to visionary, proactive governance. I’m confident in Ida, Brandon, and Sue’s ability to do so thoughtfully.

Ida Griesemer is a health services research scientist at the WRJ Veterans Affairs Medical Center who plans to forward the Climate Action Plan and instate a Community Nurse to support residents’ health needs.

Brandon Smith is a former journalist and current project manager at Earthshare Construction. He’ll work toward more affordable housing and improving community walkability and connectivity.

Sue Buckholz is a lawyer and former Vermont State Representative. She’s committed to restoring civility on the board so that the real work gets done.

Board members must be team players who put their own egos aside, work together, and forward the good work we’ve already started. Ida, Brandon and Sue will lead with kindness, humility and measure as opposed to inciting bickering matches or using their platforms to make hateful, divisive commentary.

Please join me in voting for Ida, Brandon, and Sue to ensure a stable, responsive and positive future for the Town of Hartford.

Ally Tufenkjian

White River Junction

Diners should decide
who gets their tips

Jim Kenyon claims “tip pooling is a way for restaurants to keep down their labor costs at the expense of servers,” (“At a tipping point,” Feb. 10). In my estimation sharing tips can lead to a motivated labor force that results in a pleasant experience for the diner. When I drink at the bar I tip the bartender. If I have a drink at the table, why shouldn’t the bartender get a share of my tip? The busser, by sharing in the tip, might be motivated to climb the ladder and become a server. A salient point: tips originate from the diner’s wallet and not the server’s.

The state should never have gotten into regulating tipping and should allow a business to set its own terms regarding tips. Apparently they now realize the error of their way and have relaxed rules on tipping.

Three Tomatoes is one of the very few restaurants in the Upper Valley that has survived many years. During the pandemic they kept employees employed so they could provide for their families. The aggrieved servers should be grateful. Also, it’s disheartening they don’t appreciate the efforts of fellow employees and share tips. Servers are not the whole production.

Since my tip originates from my wallet I want a say in how it is dispersed. Next time I dine at Three Tomatoes I’ll request to be seated at a table served by someone who shares tips and appreciates the effort of fellow workers.

Sail on Three Tomatoes, and know I and many others will sail on with you and your servers who understand it takes team effort to make for a pleasant dining experience!

Dave Cioffi

Etna

A suitable moderator
for Cornish

I write this letter of support for Karim Chichakly, candidate for moderator for the town of Cornish.

For me, the most important attributes for a town moderator are knowledge and total impartiality in the performance of their assigned duties. For 29 years, Karim has been an invaluable asset to the Cornish ZBA. Karim’s knowledge and understanding of state statutes is unmatched. I have known Karim for almost 30 years. In all his endeavors, I have known him to be thoughtful, judicial and always working in the best interest of Cornish and its residents.

Please consider voting for Karim Chichakly on Tuesday, March 12 at the Cornish School.

Merilynn Bourne

Cornish

US supports
genocide in Gaza

Three weeks after the International Court of Justice warned Israel to cease all activities that could constitute genocide against the Palestinian people, Israel escalated its aerial assault on Rafah and is preparing further ground offensives despite the 1.9 million survivors of the war who are sheltering there. This is an “unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe” in the words of European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

As the world watches in horror, over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed and 68,000 wounded in Gaza in the past 4 months. In January, a US federal court ruled that “unflagging support” for Israel by the US violates international law through complicity in genocide, although the court lacked jurisdiction to alter foreign policy. Although the majority of American voters support an immediate cease fire in Gaza, our government is not listening to us.

The U.S is the largest funder of the Israeli war machine, and is the one nation that could prevent further devastation by withdrawing military and political support. Instead, our tax dollars are being used to commit genocide. We urge readers to stand up for justice for the Palestinian people. Contact Rep. Kuster to insist she vote against additional aid to Israel and for immediate reinstatement of funding to UNWRA.

Daisy Goodman and Kristina Wolff

Lyme