Opinion
Column: What is beauty, anyway?
By MICKI COLBECK
Folks living anywhere near the town borders of Strafford have long been aware that Coburn’s General Store is our social hub. When the virus stopped cultural gatherings in the Upper Valley, we got by, having Melvin and the gang at our neighborhood...
Valley News Forum for March 17, 2023: Haven’t we seen enough violence?
Haven’t we seen enough violence?I’m writing this letter to voice my objection to the article in Saturday’s Valley News article regarding “Gun safety bills” blocked by the House (“Gun safety bills blocked by House” by Rick Green of the Keene Sentinel,...
Commentary: Vermont must resolve the school choice disconnect
By JAY BADAMS
Below is a March 12 letter from Jay Badams, superintendent of Hanover and Norwich schools, to Vermont legislators. It is reprinted here with Badams’ permission and has been lightly edited to fit Valley News style. Dear Vermont legislators, I am a...
Column: One thing at a time, including me in my house
By WILLEM LANGE
The switch from nursing home to personal home went off without a hitch. The multiple family members here to help effect it then left one by one, till I’m down to: Kiki; Herschel, my four-wheel, silk-smooth walker; and Hagar, the hybrid SUV parked 2...
Valley News Forum for March 15, 2023: Accept the new Cornish library
Accept the new Cornish libraryI’d like to share with you why I support the generous gift of a renovated modern library in Cornish. I’ve been working at the Stowell Library since 2003. Currently I’m an employee and vice chair of the Cornish Friends of...
Commentary: Teachers are not the enemy
By LINDA TANNER
Public school teachers are not the enemy the commissioner of education would like you to think they are. We are talking about people who have chosen a profession which requires a college degree, extensive training including an internship, dedication...
Editorial: Follow words with deeds in Lebanon
At a City Council meeting earlier this winter, Lebanon City Manager Shaun Mulholland asked, “Isn’t government supposed to solve problems?” This rhetorical question constituted a welcome reaffirmation of the power of democratic institutions to promote...
Column: Jimmy Carter and the crucible of race
By RANDALL BALMER
“You won’t like my campaign,” Jimmy Carter warned Vernon Jordan of the United Negro College Fund toward the conclusion of Carter’s second run for governor in 1970. “But you will like my administration.” When Carter was sworn in as governor on Jan. 12,...
Column: America’s long outdated education model
By STEVE NELSON
ChatGPT is all the rage these days. In case you are among the fortunate few who don’t recognize “ChatGPT,” it is a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that creates text and answers questions based on a massive database of words and phrases. “GPT”...
Valley News Forum for March 12, 2023: Is greed our goal with train regulations?
Is greed our goal with train regulations? Railroad executives are among the highest-paid in the country the president of CSX made $16 million plus stock options this year.Yet during the Trump administration, the former Obama safety regulations...
Valley News Forum for March 11, 2023: Support the move for Cornish’s library
Support the move for Cornish libraryI bought my house in Cornish in 1970, in part, because everyone I spoke to told me that the people here are kind and community-minded. I have found that to be true. With organizations like Aging in Place, Neighbor...
Valley News Forum for March 10, 2023: Vote at Town Meeting, especially in Croydon
Vote at Town Meeting, especially CroydonEvery vote counts! We’ve heard this time and time again, please get to the polls this year! Every New Hampshire town will be holding their town elections this month — participating with your vote for school and...
Valley News Forum for March 9, 2023: Support Lebanon housing initiatives
Support Lebanon housing initiativesAs we are all painfully aware, housing here in the Upper Valley has become increasingly scarce and largely unaffordable to the average worker. Most of the new housing that has been constructed over the past decade...
Column: Looking up after a month of ups and downs
By WILLEM LANGE
January 2023 was a month of Sundays, ending abruptly on the 29th with a fourth and final Sunday fall on ice underfoot. My friend Bea and I left my house for church that morning, and that was the last time I saw the house till the day after yesterday,...
Valley News Forum for March 8, 2023: Support Canaan solar panel exemption
Support Canaan solar panel exemptionPlease vote yes on Article 30: to see if residents may install solar collectors without increasing the assessed value of their property for tax purposes.Surrounding towns — Dorchester, Enfield, Grantham, Grafton,...
Valley News Forum for March 7, 2023: A bad land deal in New London
Bad land deal in New LondonNew London voters are being asked to vote on a privately petitioned article on Wednesday, March 15, at 7 p.m. It asks voters:1. To spend $375,000 for land appraised this January for $150,000;2. For the purchase of a 7-acre...
Valley News Forum for March 6, 2023: Black and white and read all over
Black and white and read all overThese are some things that are white: people, salt, snow, polar bears.These are some things that are Black: people, coal, coffee, and pepper.We seem to show a preference these days for Black — the uppercase “B” is...
Valley News Forum for March 5, 2023: Who’s running for your school board?
Who’s running for your school board?In just a few weeks, many New Hampshire residents will vote on elected officials to represent them, including school board members. As a resident of Croydon, I encourage everyone to do their due diligence about...
Valley News Forum for March 4, 2023: Windsor candidate handled ‘gotcha moment’ well
Windsor Selectboard candidate handled ‘gotcha moment’ wellI am writing in support of Thomas Demasi for Windsor Selectboard. After watching the “Meet the Candidates” forum and the shameful “gotcha moment” aimed directly at Thomas (“Town Meeting:...
Editorial: America’s ever-growing gun appetite
New Hampshire Public Radio recently reported on a firearms training session conducted in a state park by Rainbow Reload, a New Hampshire LGBTQ gun club that is one of a number throughout the nation. “If the world is dangerous, then you have to be...
