Editor:

The pedestrian lights on Crowell Road have been inoperable for over a year. Sources state that it is an electrical issue and is difficult to find parts. I believe that this light is a major safety issue and the town should either find the parts or install new lights. People from the Housing Authority cross the street daily, and we should not wait for an accident to correct it.

The town recently installed electric charging stations on Main Street and will install more in the DPW parking lot. This task seems much more complex than fixing existing lights.

On a side note, who is paying for these stations? Is it for the benefit of a few car owners? If it is the taxpayers, then how do you compensate the gas-driving people if you are aiding the others?

Rick Porter
Chatham

Editor:

This afternoon in Harwich there was no free speech allowed. We were told at a public meeting we could not ask questions, just fill out a card provided on the seats in the community center and take them to board supervisors of the meeting at the back of the room.

This was supposed to be an important meeting regarding the proposed new Pine Oaks Village project which was about affordable housing needed in Harwich, but it ended up being sponsored by a very few important businesses having to do with engineering, management, sustainability, etc. all of which would profit in years to come from this project.

People in Harwich are alarmed at the traffic that will be generated by this development. Many recent, recorded accidents have happened in this area, and how many more would occur if this proposed expansion takes place?

But the proponents say "Don't worry, be happy." By the time the last stage has been completed most of you will be dead anyway.

Anne Stewart
Pleasant Lake

Editor:

When I was young, the “holiday” season consisted of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. All of them had a purpose, but only one of them had a reason for gift giving.

Black Friday officially started the day after Thanksgiving but began weeks before that. Without exception, every commercial entity is going all out to declare that they have the ideal holiday gifts at the best prices ever.

Since the Black Friday blitz, not a single mention of Christmas (except for signs for the sale of Christmas trees) can be found. All gifts now are for the “holiday.”

Really? Christmas has been renamed “holiday?” I guess I missed that proclamation.

It was bad enough when Christ was taken out of Christmas (Xmas), now Christmas itself is gone?

Any chance young children might ask why we celebrate this “holiday?” Maybe we might reflect a bit on where things seem to be headed?

Pete Norgeot
Orleans

Editor:

I want to relay a real life story of mine that I hope will be a caution to others.

I received a phone call at 10:30 p.m. on a recent Sunday night. I looked at my phone and saw the image and phone number of my son, who lives in Dallas. Naturally, I answered. Suddenly, I heard my son screaming in the background. He was crying out "I am so sorry mom, please help." Then I heard a voice of a strange man threatening to harm my son if I didn't send him money immediately. I was terrified and probably fell into shock. The man warned me not to call the police. He gave me instructions to send money via Venmo. I was frightened and tried to do whatever he said. Of course, I would have done anything if it would save my son. I had to try multiple times to transfer the money but the payment wouldn't go through. The man grew more and more agitated. Meanwhile I could hear my son screaming in the background. The whole ordeal went on for more than an hour. In frustration, the man finally hung up. I was sure my son was dead.

I went to the Chatham police station immediately. By now it was approaching midnight. After explaining what had happened as best as I could through the tears and hysteria, they advised me to call my son. I panicked when my call went right to the voice message. Then as the police were preparing to contact the Dallas police I received a text from my son asking if I was OK. A few minutes later we were on the phone together. I was relieved to discover he was at a bar with his friends enjoying himself. Now I was gushing tears of joy.

As you may have figured out already, this was a sophisticated A.I. (artificial intelligence) scam where the scammer was able to imitate my son's voice and somehow hack into his phone. My son was never in danger. Hopefully this will never happen to you. But in this strange new world of A.I., people must be aware that these terrifying things can suddenly explode into their life.

The other reason I write this piece is to express my sincere gratitude to the Chatham Police Department, especially Sergeant Christopher Vardakis, who was on duty that night. Using calm and good judgment as his tools, he helped a frantic mother through the most horrifying night of her life. And thanks to the other members of the police department who were there for me that night. They were a big help to me.

Tuija Lynch
North Chatham