Valley News Forum for Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023: Back River Park

During the Neighborhood Planning Process conducted by Lyme Properties from 2007 to 2009, the top priority expressed by the West Lebanon community was public access to the Connecticut River. In response, Lyme Properties affirmed its commitment to quality of life in the neighborhood, and indeed the Upper Valley, by transferring ownership of a wonderful waterfront parcel, known as “Lot 6,” to us, the Friends of River Park, an independent New Hampshire notprofit on Nov. 30, 2020. Further, River Park has recorded deed restrictions in Grafton County prohibiting development on Lot 6. This was neither a requirement for approval of the development nor a publicity move but rather a generous gift made without fanfare.

We steward this parcel and oversee open-space programming. We worked with the fantastic team at Lebanon Recreation and Parks to groom trails for cross-country skiing and winter recreation. We worked with the great group at Upper Valley Trails Alliance to build safe trails for spring, summer and fall exploration. We hosted a family-friendly Hootenanny with the Lebanon Opera House this past June. We also held multiple Trails + Trucks and pop-up events.

We did this work because our mission is to improve and maintain the park for the enjoyment of the general public.

As the trustees responsible for public access to the trails and waterfront at River Park, we write to express our disappointment in the current state of affairs regarding River Park’s progress. We are concerned about the future outlook of the park and the loss of public use or access to the Connecticut River waterfront, trails and natural spaces. Changing and inconsistent regulatory concerns have forced access to Lot 6 and the waterfront to be restricted. We can only hope that clear articulation, adherence to regulation, and common sense can resolve the current situation to the mutual satisfaction of Lyme Properties, the city of Lebanon and the community.

Put simply: if River Park, the mixed-use development doesn’t exist, neither does River Park, the 6-acre public park.

We implore all Upper Valley residents who value access to public spaces to respectfully voice their concerns with the City of Lebanon’s planning staff, as well as the City Council.

Friends of River Park Trustees

Jack Candon, Lauren Cummings, George Lightbody,
Angela McCanna, Kelli Pippin

Republicans and the right-wing media think Trump shouldn’t have to endure any trials for his alleged crimes because the trials will interfere with his campaign schedule. Maybe he should have thought about that before he started breaking all these laws. The next time I’m caught speeding, I’ll have to remember to let the prosecution know that I’m running for mayor and I won’t be available for trial.

What is it that Republican voters see in Trump? It’s not like he ever did anything for you or the country. He didn’t bring back American manufacturing jobs. He didn’t build the wall, nor get Mexico to pay for what little he did build. He did not pass any infrastructure bills. He did not stop illegal immigration. The southern border has been a sieve for decades under the policies of presidents of both parties, contrary to what Fox News would have you believe. His refusal to take the COVID pandemic seriously cost many American lives. He did give you a tax cut, microscopic for you, huge for Trump and his rich friends. He gave all the bigots and white supremacists a platform. He made the U.S. a laughingstock among other world leaders. But he did give you Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, Rudy, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Bill Barr, Mike Flynn, and Jared Kushner. Do you really want that collection of frauds, thieves and liars conducting our country’s business while being manipulated by Sean Hannity and the other looney tunes at Fox News?

Anyone who votes for Trump or any other election denier in Congress or state legislature should be ashamed of themselves. After this latest House Speaker fiasco put Maga-Mike Johnson in charge to do Trump’s bidding, every decent American should know better than to vote for any Republican on any ballot at any level of government. I’m still waiting to see just what a mess the 2024 election is going to be with this group in the House trying to delegitimize every result, except of course the ones that they win.

Thomas L. Franklin

White River Junction

Veterans group calls for cease fire

At its monthly meeting on Oct. 28 in recognition of Armistice Day (Veterans Day), the Will Miller Green Mountain Veterans for Peace Chapter 57 adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that negotiations begin for a lasting peace in the region.

Bud Haas

Bradford

Socks, guilt-free

Last Friday at Listen, while surrounded by clothes of every style and size along with jewelry, books, housewares, cds and everything else one needs, I was again reminded of how lucky I am to have a place to shop like Listen. Most of my favorite clothes and books and mugs are from Listen thru the years. There is no guilt from owning yet another pair of wool socks when I remember that the money is used to help my neighbors through various projects. Thank you to all who keep this fantastic resource going.

Susan Kahn

Plainfield