Editor:

 My daughter, Jill Meyer, just sent me photos of my granddaughters Cynthia and Eleanor, dressed up and excited to attend the annual Thanksgiving luncheon provided to students at Chatham Elementary School. This will be the last year they will be present as they will age out, moving on to middle school next year. Older Sister Abigail, now a junior in high school, began attending this celebrated event in 2013. Siblings Paige and Kaleb followed her lead, attending through their elementary school years. So ends an era of 11 years of attendance by this family. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Chatham Bars Inn for offering this eagerly anticipated and appreciated annual event to Chatham Elementary School students. No doubt it will remain a lasting memory in their lives.

Janet Gladstein
Chatham and Naples, Fla.

Editor:

 I do not want the reader to think I am advertising my family. However, I do want to use my familial knowledge to make a point. I had a rich great-great-grandfather. He died in 1912 and spread a lot of money around among his staff and help as well as around Brooklyn, N.Y. From all accounts he was hardworking and generous, and known as a good person.

 He was on the board of the Pullman Company. The company built railroad cars, particularly the sleeper car. The company also constructed a “company town” known as Pullman, a part of Chicago, to better control profits, outlays and on-site labor. When the market for sleeper cars stalled for a while in the early 1890s, the Pullman Company reduced workers’ wages and hours. It did not reduce rents, and so the historic Pullman Strike began.

 So I’ve tried to square my family’s participation in a situation that was so unfair. And I can’t. Which brings me to the intention of Harwich residents to provide workforce housing at Pine Oaks IV and V. Certainly there will be some residents in Harwich who might want to scale down by selling a present living situation and moving to Pine Oaks as a retirement plan. Yet that will not be many. The full complement of renters are probably living off Cape and just eager for a move to the Cape. It is likely that many already commute to the Cape from over the bridges.

 So what are we really creating with Pine Oaks? We are creating a bedroom for a workforce. And why are we doing that? The answer, of course, is to make an easier time of getting pipes plumbed, sockets wired, wills typed up, services provided. We are chumming for worker occupants by establishing rental bait. We must ask ourselves if that is the best course of action. Yes, we’ll get plumbed pipes, etc., but what will we be giving? Certainly not equity, certainly not an opportunity for a family to settle in and plant roots. Many of the occupants will end up rent poor, as real estate will continue to rise on this finite ground. Renters will likely not climb into ownership, into the American Dream. They become, in a way, indentured.

 We do need rental units. I hope Pine Oaks will build a few. Pine Oaks, however, is presently a project on steroids. It needs to be smaller, much smaller. Other towns can build up their State Housing Initiative list percentages. The good and generous people promoting this 40B project should consider that equity for occupants, not developers, needs to be part of the picture. Some development energy needs to be encouraged that combines elements of the 40B project now proposed with the equity potential of a 40Y project. The Pine Oaks proponents, with all their great intentions, could lobby for zoning changes in Harwich that encourage second floor rental development on existing single-story houses, that promotes more ADUs for year-round renters, and that incentivizes redevelopment over the creation of new subdivisions.

Matt Sutphin
Harwich

Editor:

 (The following is an open letter to the town manager and select board of Orleans.)

 I have been a summer resident of Orleans for over 25 years. This has been one of the great joys of my life and that of my large family.

 But recently much of that joy has turned into sadness and anger regarding my town’s policies and actions related to cannabis. Although I cannot vote, I made my opinions very clear to (select board member) Kevin Galligan several years ago when the issue of permitting two cannabis dealers came before the town for a vote. Cannabis is a dangerous drug. It is not harmless. It has been clinically proven to lead to severe addiction, psychosis and even schizophrenia in many users — particularly those in their teens through early 30s.

 Now, the dealers and the town want to take it one step further by having couriers deliver this damaging substance. Please don’t tell me there are so many old people with such terrible aches and pains that they not only use cannabis but delivery service is vital to their health. And are you really so blind or naive to think that these couriers will deliver to 21-year-olds who will not resell it to younger kids, making it so very easy to put their vulnerable young brains at risk?

 Finally, what upsets me most of all is the comment at the recent town meeting by [Town] Manager Kim Newman: “We’ll bring it back in May and clarify that it has a financial component to it...We’ll do a better job of educating why they [voters] should do it.” In essence, she believes that voters just need to be sufficiently educated and then they will see the light! This attitude is condescending and insulting to all voters and especially to those who vote their conscience because they understand the real dangers involved.

 Be honest. This is all about greed and chasing the buck. There are far better and healthier ways for the town to fill its coffers. I personally would be willing to pay more taxes to avoid the easy spread of cannabis in our community.

 Chatham and Harwich refused to go this route and their finances are not falling apart. Shame on Orleans!

Catharine Ryan
Pittsburgh, Pa., and South Orleans

Editor:

I read with interest Thomas Hamilton’s letter to the editor (Nov. 21) advocating for uniform American flag lowering policies that will ensure the dignity and honor of this gesture. I agree. But there is a bigger flag problem I see every day. I was raised in a multigenerational military family that understood the protocols of respect for the national flag. We don’t use “Old Glory” for political expression, as holiday home decoration, as truck bumper ornaments or to be left on a pole in the front yard until it is a rag on a rope. Those little graveside flags so popular on Vets Day? Destined for landfill? I wonder if Mr. Hamilton sees abuse of that “powerful symbol of our country’s values” in his community where “respect and heritage run deep” and says something to his neighbors. I hope so. 

J.S. Moore
Orleans

Editor:

Last Friday evening hundreds of smiling faces made their way from the Orleans library to Depot Square on Old Colony Way. This annual stroll and tree lighting was started by the Orleans Improvement Association (OIA) many years ago. Now under the leadership of Orleans Chamber of Commerce Director Judy Lindahl, the tradition continues. This year we added new participants. The Academy Playhouse “Elf” cast members, Mrs. Claus and the Washashore musical performers. While ringing bells and holding candles, strollers of all ages sang holiday classics announcing the beginning of the holiday season in Orleans. After enjoying the musical entertainment, the tree lighting countdown was led by Kim Newman, our town manager.

We would like to thank TD Bank for providing hundreds of elf hats, the Orleans Department of Public Works, Rich Waldo and his staff for adding some sparkle to Main Street, and for the Orleans Police Department for directing traffic to keep us safe.

Thanks to everyone for participating and making the evening such a terrific community event.

OIA wishes everyone Happy Holidays!

Nancy A. Jorgensen, president
Orleans Improvement Association

Editor:

Well, it's done. For many the nightmare has begun; for others our country will be great again. If you're one of the nightmare cadres, you worked hard, had high hopes, but came up short to everyone's surprise.

On the other hand, those backing the winner can sit back and watch the magic promised to them. I have one request of these folks. Please don't be upset when the tariffs kick in and prices of most everything goes up. Please don’t be angry that American produce is either unavailable or really expensive because there is a shortage of pickers. Understand and don’t feel bad that those terrible immigrant families are separated and children placed in locked environments. Ignore the fear and anguish your gay friends and family members will have because of intolerance. Be happy that some folks will be arrested just because they opposed the winner. Don't worry about all the federal workers losing their jobs. We don't need federal oversight for health, housing, education, natural resources, transportation, and all those intrusive agencies. Finally, if we somehow drift into World War III, make sure your kids are the first to suit up and fight for our made-great-again country.

After all, as they say in Texas, "You gotta dance with the lady you brung."

Joseph Boro
South Chatham