Gun measures Vermont lawmakers should enact

The new legislative session is about to begin. After a year like no other in Vermont and across the nation, with gun violence spiraling out of control, Gun Sense VT and its many allies in Montpelier are putting forth key measures to protect our children and families: a safe storage law, a 72-hour waiting period bill and an evidence-based package to prevent domestic violence with a firearm.

Surely these three sensible policies should become law. It’s up to us to see that they do. It’s our kids and families. The New York Times dedicated its entire Sunday magazine (Dec. 18) to all the children killed by gunfire in 2022.

Tell your state representatives and state senators you care what they do now.

Bob Williamson

South Woodstock

Founding board member of Gun Sense VT.

Dartmouth men’s hockey languishes

I was a Dartmouth men’s ice hockey season ticket holder when I lived in Springfield, Vt., from 1987 to 1998. When I moved to Newport, Vt., I still got to a few games a year including the New Year’s Eve tournament.

It is sad to see how this event and all Dartmouth men’s hockey events have diminished in enthusiasm and quality. In an issue of College Hockey Magazine dated Jan. 11, 1991, it became evident that the college wasn’t interested in having a winning team. The team didn’t have a winning season for about 20 years and Bob Gaudet did an exceptional job with what he was able to work with. Still Dartmouth is the only team in the ECAC to not go to the national tournament since 1979-80, nor has it won an ECAC title.

Add to this that attendance to the games is now pathetic. Even in the ’80s and part of the ’90s the place had a lot of cheering fans, this is no longer the case. The students are no longer interested and those in attendance seem to think it is against the law to cheer. A few years ago even the horn that went off when the home team scored was done away with. Going to a game now is as exciting as watching a chess game.

When the venue provides some initiative to attend, maybe I and the few others that I brought with me will attend again. This is indeed a sad way to treat a team that once had a proud tradition

Terry Difazio

Newport, Vt.

Time to end trapping

I am sure there are many outraged people after hearing about Clara, the sweet dog, that was killed in a trap. It is hard to fathom that this barbaric practice is even still allowed. Practices such as trapping, as well as hounding, should never be considered a “sport.” There is no “sportsmanship” involved, only pain and misery for the animals caught.

My grandparents had a cat, many years ago, that chewed its own foot off to get free of a trap. A neighbor’s cat was killed in a trap shortly after he and his family moved here, not that many years ago. For those of you that think traps, which spring shut on legs, necks, etc., don’t hurt, maybe try sticking a body part in there and see what it feels like. It is sad that Vermont Fish and Game is so desperate for the all mighty dollar that trapping still exists. The only traps that should be allowed are the Havahart traps to catch and transport so-called “nuisance” animals and those should be checked regularly.

I wish to clarify that this letter has nothing do with regular hunting and hunters that abide by the law and put meat on the table. I have many friends that hunt. They would not think of torturing an animal. Being a born and raised Vermonter, I had family members that used to hunt.

For more information please go to: www.protectourwildlifevt.org.

Deborah Gravel

Woodstock

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