Re: Take Action In New Year Editor: ReThink, ReFurbish, ReBuild, ReFuse, ReDuce, ReUse, RePurpose, RePair. Or Rot. When it comes to plastic there is no ReCycle. What are you doing for the New Year? Patrick Otton East Harwich    Tobin Went To Bat For A's Editor: I would like to take this time to first congratulate Dan Tobin on his retirement after 37 years with the Chatham Parks and R...

What happens when too much development impinges on the natural environment? Conflicts develop. We've seen this in the abstract with the controversy over the open space off Middle Road in Chatham. Taking just a small part of it to build affordable housing prompted a backlash from residents who want to see the land remain undeveloped, despite the deep housing crisis the town and region are experiencing. Peopl...

Some members of the Chatham Select Board and other critics of re-use of the town-owned property at 127 Old Harbor Rd. as housing are shortsighted in their opposition to moving ahead with an assessment of the parcel's potential. Some say there's no hurry, that another use may eventually emerge for the property, while others say that it's not the best location for affordable housing and using it for that purpose...

Rather than asking for a study of parking after banning it on Barcliff Avenue, the Chatham Select Board should have done the reverse – gotten the results of a study first, then decided if parking should be prohibited on Barcliff. Parking has long been a problem in town, and there's never been a comprehensive approach to it – either in identifying problem areas or finding new locations. Officials designate no p...

More Housing Is Good News Editor: What Great News! I saw that the developer who bought the Underground Mall in Orleans plans to turn it into workforce housing. This is wonderful news for the Lower Cape. I was hoping that space would be turned into housing and it seems that my wish has come true! While the one- and two-bedroom units won’t help my family, who needs at least three bedrooms, it will help c...

Over the years, we’ve used this space many times to urge Chatham voters to support open space purchases, for the purpose of protecting our aquifer, saving critical wildlife habitat and providing wild spaces for the public to enjoy. Like many voters, we appreciate the need for land conservation to help protect the Cape’s ecology. But it’s helpful to remember that ecology is about the relationship between the en...

Grateful For Community Support Editor: Thank you, Tim Wood and Alan Pollock, for your touching words about Otis. We know that he reached the hearts and minds of everyone he met and your tributes truly capture Otis’ character. Words cannot describe how much the generosity of all who contributed means to us. The donations we received will aid us greatly in this difficult time we face. Beyond the monetary v...

Occasionally the loss of one person ripples through the entire community. We saw this with the passing of Juliet Bernstein in November; she touched so many people during her long life that just about everyone in town was affected by her death. Otis Russell arguably touched even more local folks. “Served” might be a better verb. During his decades as bartender and night manager of the Chatham Squire, Otis inter...

Today, Jan. 6, is the one-year anniversary of the assault on the Capital. Coverage of commemorations and recollections of the event – insurrection, protest, riot, whatever its called – will dominate the news, talk shows and social media, and deservedly so. Deniers will also have their say, spouting conspiracy theories and lies about what actually happened that day and who is responsible. Which is mind boggling...

An Opportunity Missed Editor: What a terrible wasted opportunity that Chatham did not invest in the health of the community (seniors, students and others) by buying the former Chatham Health and Swim Club when it was available. The swimming pool there had just been rebuilt and could have become available to Chatham residents and, if necessary, supported by a nominal charge. It is well established and univer...

The end of the year is a time to both look ahead and reflect on the past 12 months. Remembering those we lost is a way to affirm our connection to friends, family and community members in a positive way. The local business community lost several members. Walter Meier founded Chatham Jewelers 70 years ago and made his mark on the town over those seven decades (including as one of the founders of the precursor t...

Time To Tax Alcoholic Beverages Editor: For the last 20 years, I have been very involved in the field of mental health. I know there to be serious gaps in providing services to those in need. I recently learned there is no sales tax on alcoholic beverages in the state of Massachusetts. I know for a fact that there is a sales tax in Florida. It seems like a “no-brainer,” as a way to raise money for muc...