On Jan. 29, I read Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon’s letter regarding the reinstatement of five varsity athletic teams. He called out the director of athletics by name, saying “Harry Sheehy and his team established a series of factors and considerations to be used in their assessment,” and went on to say, cryptically, that “elements of the data that Athletics used to confirm continued Title IX compliance may not have been complete.” It was clear that Sheehy was being offered up as the fall guy and, not surprisingly, Sheehy announced his retirement on Tuesday.
But is it fair to blame Sheehy? Can’t we assume that a decision of that import would involve a broad selection of people under the close supervision of President Hanlon himself? If President Hanlon did not scrutinize the decision, what does that say about his leadership? If he did, what does that say about his loyalty to the team?
What has President Hanlon accomplished during his tenure? He proposed an expansion of undergraduate enrollment without selling a supporting vision to the faculty or alumni. It failed. He proposed the replacement of one carbon-producing heating plant with the creation of another carbon-producing plant. It failed. And now, he has presided over a fiasco whose financial cost is trivial compared to the negative PR that has accompanied it.
It’s time for a leader who can craft a vision for Dartmouth, engender trust among the executive team and accept responsibility for mistakes.
DWIGHT ASPINWALL
Hanover
I would like to thank the residents who have made the effort to put their names in nomination for election to the five open positions on Hartford’s Selectboard. It is a huge commitment. Good luck to all of you. I am looking forward to hearing from everyone at Candidates Night on Feb. 22. I am not sure social media is the best forum for those running to get your message and platform out to voters without being ambushed and challenged by those who may disagree.
Is anyone troubled that five of the 12 candidates are promoting a unified slate of candidates? Does it support their common call for diversity, or does it actually conflict with that goal? It feels like if you cannot support all five of the candidates you shouldn’t or cannot vote for any of them. This should not be the case, or even promoted. All candidates should stand on their own.
Being a board member is a complex role and difficult to do well. This is the case whether it is for a company, organization or municipality. Good board members need to be critical thinkers. They are expected to leave their personal beliefs and agendas at the door and vote on issues that are in the best interest of the company, organization or municipality. Their decisions must be made in the best interests of their customers or residents, and are often made contrary to their personal feelings.
Again, thank you for running and good luck on March 2.
BARRY McCABE
West Hartford
I offer my full personal endorsement of Barb Patterson as an important voice that needs to be included on the Lebanon School Board.
Patterson appreciates everything the city of Lebanon has to offer, but is actively engaging to make it even better. Moreover, she understands our community as she has lived in the Upper Valley and its surrounding towns, including Woodstock, for her entire life. Her children attended local high schools.
She will advocate for our students and offer fresh ideas, and not be a rubber stamp for existing policy and direction. Her professional experience, which includes 10 years in special education at Woodstock Union High School and 13 years at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center will ensure more transparency and good relations within the board and to the community at large.
Finally, she wants great schools for our students, but is very sensitive about the need for affordable taxes. She has expressed great concern that the School Board has imposed high tax increases over the last decade.
Please join me in voting for Barb Patterson for the Lebanon School Board.
RAMZI HRAIBI
West Lebanon
I am writing to endorse Dan Fraser for another term on the Hartford Selectboard. In my opinion we couldn’t do better than to have him continue to serve the people of Hartford.
In case you don’t know, Fraser has been working for years to, as he says, “keep it local.” He tirelessly gives Hartford residents the opportunity to help one another through his creative ways to support nonprofits in their fundraising efforts. His support for the Hartford-Norwich Holiday Baskets program is just one example.
I am a member of the Holiday Basket team of volunteers, and with his support and enthusiasm we’re able to deliver toys and clothing to hundreds of Hartford children each holiday season. That’s part of his mantra of keeping it local. He is dedicated to the town of Hartford and will work to build consensus to solve problems and move the town forward.
I will be voting for Dan Fraser and encourage everyone to keep him on the Hartford Selectboard for another term.
CLARE FORSETH
White River Junction
For nearly 50 years I have been in awe of the attention to design detail at the Hopkins Center. The handrails, the door pulls, the original upholstered furniture, even the student mailboxes — the “quality” of the place is amazing.
We have now learned of proposed renovations (“Norwegian firm will oversee Hop project: Renovation and expansion has $75 million price tag,” Feb. 11).
Let’s hope the renovations are done with reverence for what is already there. It is a wonderful place.
DAN WING
Corinth