Questions Need For Chatham PAC Editor: I write in response to the letter from Rick Leavitt describing a new group called Chatham Citizens for Responsible Government (CCRG), which is self-described as a Political Action Committee, a PAC.  The letter also stated that CCRG “pledges to work diligently for a responsible town government, fairly addressing the needs of one Chatham.”    That’s not wha...

Frank Bryan, author of “Real Democracy” : “A town meeting is a legislature of citizens, for citizens, and by citizens. The fact that each citizen of the town is also a legislator separates the New England town meeting from all other forms of democracy.” From Wikipedia: “A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used…in New England…since the 17th century, in which…members of a community...

COA Friends Boost Programs Editor: The Friends of Chatham’s Council on Aging thank the many citizens who have responded to our recent membership drive to become members of the Friends of Chatham’s COA and who have generously given additional supporting donations. With these additional supporting donations, the Friends of CCOA has been able to assist in funding the new replacement bus the COA uses...

There was a sense of excitement Sunday among a crowd at the Lighthouse Overlook, not unlike a day a little more than 30 years ago. In both instances, the raw power of nature was on display and the future of an important segment of the community hung in the balance. In January 1987, the ocean broke through North Beach opposite the lighthouse; shoaling, erosion and tidal changes caused by that breakthrough event...

Encouraging kids to develop a love for books and reading is the job of every adult. The simplest way is by setting an example. Unfortunately, some adults couldn't be bothered, such as our sitting president, who has been famously quoted as saying that he doesn't have the time to read books. That's the sort of excuse a middle school student makes. Somehow, his predecessor found the time to not only read books, but ...

Many Reasons For Plastic Bag Ban Editor: I would like to respectfully respond to Mr. Summers' recent concerns (and one of yours) about Chatham's single-use plastic bag ban which began the first of this year. I'll try to be brief and go point by point: 1) Using heavier plastic bags is not "skirting," but rather complying with the regulation: "Single use plastic bags for the purpose of this regulatio...

Once again, there will be no skydiving in Chatham this summer. Some residents will no doubt greet that news with cheers. Others will see it as giving in to “not in my backyard” pressure. Most will see little or no impact to their own lives and will move on with a shrug. Yet there is a lesson here that residents, and especially the town's business community, should heed. It's been more than three years since...

Cloth Is The Way To Go Editor: In light of the recent letters to the editor concerning shopping bags, this subscriber's suggestion is to use neither paper nor plastic.  Personally, when I do the grocery shopping, I use cloth bags with handles.  Some are even given away as advertising incentives.  These may be purchased at most (if not all ) grocery stores and easily re-used time and time again.  Perhaps The...

Away out here they have a name For rain and wind and fire The rain is Tess The fire’s Joe And they call the wind Maria   Outdoors, the wind is blowing a gale. On my walk today, I had to lean into the wind to keep moving. Of course, my way was made easier by the knowledge that, on the way back, I would be blown home. As I walked along, I started humming, and then singing, an old song. ...

Historically, the entrance to Chatham Harbor – and the infamous “Chatham Bar” that must be crossed to access the entrance – has shifted back and forth from relatively benign to downright dangerous. Right now it's in the dangerous phase, not atypical for the fall and winter months, although this iteration is more hazardous than usual due to numerous factors, including the channel pushing hard against the outer sho...

Plastic Bag Ban Not A Hit Editor: I read your passionate reporting on how some food markets were skirting the law by using heavier plastic bags instead of paper bags. I once again am wondering why this regulation was promulgated in the first place. After watching one woman picking up groceries after a paper bag broke I spoke with many cashiers and the manager who confirm that consumers universally dislik...

Everything looked exactly as it did this morning as it did yesterday. Brilliant blue sky. Yard draped in a cold, white blanket. Bracing, bone-dry wind from the west-northwest, swirling will-o-wisps of dusty snow that caught the twinkles of sun. In the teens, below zero in the stiff breeze, but the red oak in the stove kept the house cozy warm. My watch reading 7:30 a.m., and the dogs were not yet stirring beca...